This past week the internet was flooded with stories of the beautiful gorilla, Harambe, who sadly had to be shot when a child fell into the animal enclosure he was kept in, at the Cincinnati Zoo in the USA. Opinions from readers and viewers of the video clip varied from people expressing relieve that the child was okay, to people livid at the child’s mother for not keeping a proper eye on the boy, to animal extremists who felt that the zoo wrongly killed the animal because he was only trying to protect the boy. Out of curiosity I patiently read through a lot of Facebook comments, and I watched as people shared various photos and articles relating to the incident. And I kept asking myself questions as people voiced their sentiments. Did the mother act irresponsible? Could she have prevented the accident? What if it was my child? What if the zoo refused to shoot the animal? What if the zoo keepers decided to rather tranquilize the animal and something worse happened? What would the reactions have been if something really bad actually happened to the child? How must the poor mother feel when she reads all the harsh judgements? What is the emotions of the staff at the zoo regarding this incident? Are they deeply hurt and pained by what happened? Do they blame themselves for the child falling into the enclosure, or do they also blame the mother? Accidents happen, and it happens fast! Seconds can change a life forever. “He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.” – Ecclesiastes 10:9
And then the saddest thought of all crossed my mind – why did an innocent animal have to die? He was so big, so beautiful, and so clueless about the consequences of his animal instinct actions. He never asked to be on display inside a zoo. And he only did what nature told him to do – he tried to protect his furry gorilla ‘family’ (and maybe even his newly found human friend). I believe he never intended to hurt the child, but if you do a weight comparison between humans and gorillas, you will quickly realize that the boy was on the short end of the stick.
Caught up in my thoughts, grieving the loss of this beautiful animal, I all of a sudden couldn’t help to be saddened by the events that paved the way to the cross. Although Jesus was the son of God, He still had human emotions and thoughts to deal with (just like us!). He had compassion on the leper (Mark 1:40-42), felt anger and grieve (Mark 3:5), sadness and love (John 11:35-36), He was filled with joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21), but was also troubled in spirit (John 13:21). So can you imagine how Jesus felt knowing that innocence & truth would kill Him? That He would be ‘shot’ so that others could live (just like Harambe). Knowing that one of His beloved disciples was about to betray Him? Being unsure of what the physical & emotional pain would feel like that He was about to endure? And yet, He did it out of love. Because that is the being of Jesus Christ, love! Love for you, love for me, and love for everyone that we feel are not worthy of love and forgiveness. “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” – John 15:13
It may be good night Harambe, because we can’t change social behavior. But it is hello beautiful world if you comprehend the greatness of our God and Saviour!! We can rejoice, because our names are recorded in heaven. And all because one innocent Man willingly exchanged His temporary existence for eternity with His Father. Out of love. To save us!
Be blessed
Yolandi
Caught up in my thoughts, grieving the loss of this beautiful animal, I all of a sudden couldn’t help to be saddened by the events that paved the way to the cross. Although Jesus was the son of God, He still had human emotions and thoughts to deal with (just like us!). He had compassion on the leper (Mark 1:40-42), felt anger and grieve (Mark 3:5), sadness and love (John 11:35-36), He was filled with joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21), but was also troubled in spirit (John 13:21). So can you imagine how Jesus felt knowing that innocence & truth would kill Him? That He would be ‘shot’ so that others could live (just like Harambe). Knowing that one of His beloved disciples was about to betray Him? Being unsure of what the physical & emotional pain would feel like that He was about to endure? And yet, He did it out of love. Because that is the being of Jesus Christ, love! Love for you, love for me, and love for everyone that we feel are not worthy of love and forgiveness. “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.” – John 15:13
It may be good night Harambe, because we can’t change social behavior. But it is hello beautiful world if you comprehend the greatness of our God and Saviour!! We can rejoice, because our names are recorded in heaven. And all because one innocent Man willingly exchanged His temporary existence for eternity with His Father. Out of love. To save us!
Be blessed
Yolandi