Known for being an unapologetic and outspoken Christian, Charlie Kirk often acknowledged Jesus Christ as the foundation of his worldview and urged young Americans to live out their faith boldly in public life. Along with his faith, he was a vocal and controversial advocate for conservatism in US politics. He successfully communicated with the next generation in college campus debates, and through his popular podcast and media network.
"I mean, I'm nothing without Jesus," he told Russell Brand last year. "I'm a sinner. I fall incredibly short of the glory of God. We all do. I gave my life to the Lord in fifth grade, and it's the most important decision I've ever made and everything I do incorporates Jesus Christ."[1]
With multiple millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death is enormous, and its circumstances will be globally scrutinised. Of more importance than political or social issues is the devastating loss to a small family of a husband and father. As Christians, they have the love of their God, the presence of their Saviour, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to help them as they mourn and grieve. May God grant to them strength and healing in the pain of their trial.
For the rest of us, what is there to say? It is not a new story; from the murder of Abel by his brother Cain in the first human family (Genesis chapter 4) to the seemingly endless killings in conflicts throughout the world, hatred and murder are an ever-present part of the human story.
In the shocking circumstances which occurred in Utah there is a reminder of certain truths which we should never forget.
Life is precious and unpredictable.
For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
(Ecclesiastes 9:12 ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
(James 4:13-15 ESV)
Hatred is ugly and destructive.
Hatred stirs up strife
(Proverbs 10:12)
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
(Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV)
The public killing of a Christian points us back to the public killing of Christ.
The Bible tells us of another shocking day of hatred and violence, which resulted in thinly disguised murder. Jesus Christ, who “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), was crucified and slain at the instigation of his enemies, who hated him without a cause.
The Apostle Peter, in his preaching, declared the accountability of those men who were immediately responsible, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know – this Jesus . . . you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:22-23 ESV).
But despite their culpability, there was a bigger picture – evident in the words I left out from Acts 2:22-23, “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was intentional, eternally planned by God. God sent his Son into the world to offer Himself as a sacrifice to pay the price of sin and provide salvation for a world of sinners.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16 ESV)
When hatred explodes into murder and a Christian is killed, we should remember that dark day, long ago, when Jesus Christ was crucified by those who cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” (John 19:15).
For many, the death of Charlie Kirk is a senseless act of hatred which has only produced pain and loss. Perhaps a shaft of light in that dark picture is that such loss can remind us to pray the prayer of the Psalmist, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 ESV).
[1] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tIbnf0p-_HE
