In the Battlestar Galactica episode “Collaborators,” the crew of the Galactica have reconvened after escaping the evil Cylons. During the Cylon occupation, a number of the humans sided with the Cylons as members of a secret police force. These collaborators served the cause of their enemies, believing this to be a better alternative than living with increasing poverty and the constant threat of death. Paradoxically, now that the humans have shaken off the bonds of their oppressors, the collaborators face precisely the fate they thought they’d escaped. A small group of the surviving humans has taken it upon themselves to track down their betrayers. One by one they bring them in to be executed. As the number of executions rises, members of the group begin to have second thoughts. Their appetite for revenge has been satisfied, and they’re tired of killing. Their leader faces them and says, “Don’t forget what we’re doing here. This isn’t about revenge. It’s about justice!”
Discussions about the Sixth Commandment (“You shall not murder/kill another human being”) inevitably lead to questions of justice. What about people who have committed murder? What about someone who’s about to kill me? What about someone who is a danger to society and shows no remorse? What about political enemies? Justice needs to be served! These challenges become more personal when we look at the ways the sixth commandment has been parsed out by other commentators. The Heidelberg Catechism argues
“By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God's sight all such are murder.”
This in turn is based on Jesus’ own teaching:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
As with each of his commands, God’s concern in the sixth is not only human action, but human attitude. What is your posture toward your neighbor – that is, any fellow human being? Is it hatred, or mercy? Do you want for them that which you want for yourself? "But wait a minute," you say. "What about justice? That person who hurt me deserves to hurt. That person whose stupidity ruined my plans deserves to suffer. That person who has threatened my way of life deserves punishment."
The question to ask is this: what treatment have you received at the hands of God? Justice or mercy? Jesus demands of us that which he has given to us. Whether you’re tempted to kill with your hands, or your words, or simply your thoughts, Jesus says, “Justice and vengeance are mine. Your job is to love.” This is one of the ways in which the life of a disciple is immensely costly – it may, in fact, cost you your life. Most of the situations in which we’d respond with lethal force are ones in which we’d be, in some way, protecting our own lives. Jesus actually invites his disciple to do what he did – that is, give up one's own life rather than take someone else’s. You may be called to give up your life all at once. Or you may be required to do it little by little - one word of forgiveness; one gracious thought; one merciful act at a time.
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