The Ground Zero Bible: Matthew 5 Fused to a Piece of Steel

 BibleGateway sent me this video link a couple of days ago. 

"On March 30, 2002, a firefighter searching for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, discovered a burnt Bible fused to a piece of steel. The barely legible top page is open to the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5, where Jesus speaks of 'an eye for an eye' followed by 'resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.'”

It is a remarkable find and a reminder to all of us of Jesus' words in Matthew 5,

Concerning Retaliation: 

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. 

Love for Enemies: 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

There is no retaliation possible against those who have killed themselves in an act of terror. Acting to prevent further such attacks is prudent and not retaliatory.

Is it a greater act of love to take action to protect your neighbor from further attacks, even if that means going after the bad guys?