The Wicked Witch Hunters

Sunday’s worship gathering invited us to look deeply at the roots of violence—both in the world and within our own hearts—and to consider the way of Jesus as God’s alternative to the cycles of anger, blame, and vengeance that so often define human relationships. Drawing from the story of “Wicked” and its powerful “March of the Witch Hunters” scene, we saw how easily pain and misunderstanding can turn into a mob mentality, where self-righteousness masquerades as justice and anger is mistaken for truth. The story of Boq, whose woundedness and loss led him to become a voice for vengeance, mirrors the crowds in Jerusalem who called for Jesus’ crucifixion, convinced they were defending what was good.

We explored how violence is not just physical; it begins as a whisper in the heart—a thought of superiority, a rumor, a simmering resentment. Before any hand is raised or word is spoken, the seeds of violence are sown in the quiet places of our souls. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 reminds us that the commandment not to murder is not just about outward action, but about the slow-burning anger that can take root within us. James warns us that our words, too, can be instruments of violence, cursing those made in God’s image even as we bless God with the same mouth.

The tragedy is that, so often, we believe we are standing for truth or righteousness, when in fact we are participating in the very violence we claim to oppose. When righteousness loses humility, it becomes dangerous; when conviction loses compassion, it becomes cruelty. The myth of redemptive violence—the belief that we can destroy evil by destroying those we label as evil—is as old as Cain and Abel, and as present as our latest argument or social media post.

But God’s way is different. Jesus calls us not to march with the crowd, but to follow him—to put down the sword and take up the cross. God’s victory is not in destruction, but in resurrection; not in vengeance, but in the relentless creation of new life. The invitation is to turn, to repent, to march to the rhythm of grace, love, and mercy. Our hearts were made for healing, not for harboring anger or resentment. Each day, we are called to say “yes” again to this way of Jesus, to let our words and actions build up rather than tear down, and to become peacemakers in a world hungry for redemption.

---

Key Scriptures

Matthew 5:21-22
James 3:9-10
1 John 3:11-12

Key Takeaways

• Violence begins as a whisper in the heart – Violence rarely starts with outward action; it begins with subtle thoughts—fear, resentment, superiority—that quietly take root. Before we ever harm with our hands or words, we have already allowed something destructive to grow within us. Recognizing and addressing these inner whispers is essential to breaking the cycle of harm and choosing the way of Christ. [22:53]
• Righteousness without humility becomes dangerous – When our sense of being right is not tempered by humility, it can easily turn into self-righteousness and even cruelty. True righteousness is always marked by compassion and grace, not by a need to dominate or condemn. We must continually examine whether our convictions are leading us toward love or away from it. [29:36]
• The myth of redemptive violence is a spiritual trap – The belief that evil can be overcome by destroying those we see as evil is a lie as old as humanity. This myth fuels cycles of vengeance and blinds us to the possibility of redemption and new creation. God’s way, revealed in Jesus, is to overcome evil not with more violence, but with sacrificial love and resurrection power. [39:52]
• God’s march is to the rhythm of grace– We are invited to march not with the crowd that seeks vengeance, but with Christ, who leads us in truth, love, and mercy. This means daily choosing to turn from anger and condemnation, and to let our hearts be instruments of healing and reconciliation. The same heart that can harbor resentment can also hold the healing presence of Christ. [44:51]

Questions for Reflection

The sermon said violence often starts as a whisper—thoughts of fear, resentment, or superiority. Can you think of a recent time when you noticed one of these “whispers” in your own heart? How did you respond?

When have you found yourself justifying harsh words or actions because you believed you were “right”? How can you tell the difference between standing for truth and slipping into self-righteousness?

The pastor talked about the power of words to bless or curse. Is there someone in your life you have spoken harshly about or to? What would it look like to speak blessing instead?

The sermon challenged us to “march to a different beat”—not with the crowd seeking vengeance, but with Christ, who leads in grace and mercy. What is one practical way you can “march to the rhythm of grace” this week, especially in a situation where you feel wronged?

The myth of redemptive violence says we can fix things by getting rid of the “bad people.” Have you ever caught yourself thinking this way about someone or a group? How can you shift your mindset toward redemption and new creation instead?

The pastor said, “Your heart was made for healing, not for harboring anger or resentment.” What is one step you can take this week to let go of resentment or anger you’ve been holding onto?

Repentance was described as simply turning around and marching in a new direction. Is there an area in your life where you need to “turn around” and follow Jesus’ way of love and mercy? What would that look like for you?