Tuesday; November 24

If you were to follow one path of human logic, today should be a holiday known as Jack Ruby Day. That previous statement is probably startling, but hear me out. On November 22, 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed President John Kennedy and Dallas Police Officer J. D. Tipitt. Oswald was arrested and taken to the Dallas jail where he was held and questioned. Then, on November 24, 1963 – as Oswald was being transported from the jail – he was shot and killed in front of dozens of people. There may have been some doubt if Oswald did what he was accused of doing, but everyone knew Jack Ruby was the man who killed Oswald. Now, back to my premise. If vengeance is as wonderful as we are led to believe, Ruby’s killing of the assassin should be celebrated. If revenge is as sweet as some advocate, the American nation should have healed quickly. Yet, the death of the ultimate bad guy didn’t heal the hurt. Our nation grieved – not just for a few days, but for months and years to come. The situation wasn’t solved – in fact, many people believe the commonly held conclusion that Oswald killed Kennedy is false. Justice wasn’t served – and the fallout from the events of November 22 and November 24, 1963 cast a shadow that reaches into the 21st Century.
My point in this article is not to reignite a conspiracy; rather it is to remind us that revenge is not the answer to our problems. Getting even – even if we feel justified in doing so – doesn’t settle conflicts. Maybe that is why we are taught, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). If the revenge of Jack Ruby didn’t resolve a nation’s anger and sadness at the death of President Kennedy and Officer Tippit, how can we expect our personal vengeance to solve our problems?

Think About It!

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