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On May 28, 2016, a marvelous thing happened. Maybe marvelous isn't the right word. Some called it an outrage. A horrible, horrible loss. A tragedy. But sometimes even a tragedy can be marvelous.  

Harambe the gorilla was shot and killed by a special team at the Cincinnati Zoo. In some ways we've become desensitized to the death of animals. We're used to animals being slain. Many are killed for food and many are killed to put them out of their misery. But Harambe was killed for neither. And that's what makes the death of this silverback gorilla so tragically marvelous. No, I am not suggesting it's marvelous that this gorilla was slain. What's marvelous is why he died. He died so that a boy might live.  

The images and videos are terrifying. A young boy furiously dragged around a shallow stream by an irate gorilla. The shrill screams of onlookers and the desperate attempts to console the terrified toddler. The knowledge that this boy was at the mercy of a beast strong enough to crush a coconut in the palm of his hand.  

And then the zoo officials acted. The gorilla must die so the boy could live. What a marvelous tragedy! Tragic to see the loss of such a majestic creature. Marvelous to see the salvation of another creature far more majestic.  

For all the animal-worship that permeates most zoos, it's encouraging to see a zoo that still recognizes the image of God when they see it (whether they realize it or not).   

Why use such extreme measures to save the boy? Why stand by those measures in the aftermath of the decision, even under such extreme scrutiny? Because those officials knew what our snake-eyed Enemy has been denying for millennia. The sons of Adam and daughters of Eve are not subject to the beasts of the field. They are made in the image of God.   

Within hours after his death in 2016, Harambe became a pop culture icon. He’s been featured on more internet memes than Homer Simpson. He’s had his photo emblazoned on T-shirts, hoodies, and even ugly Christmas sweaters. A few years ago a Cheeto that’s shape looked kind of like Harambe sold for $100K on eBay.  

If you move past some of the silliness, you’ll find there are people that are seriously heartbroken about the loss of this gorilla. Universities all over the country held candlelight vigils to mourn his passing. Although we might wish there was similar outrage over the death of the unborn or the mistreatment of the vulnerable, we can understand why the death of a majestic creature like Harambe would cause some to mourn.  

It’s another reminder that we live in a fallen world. A world corrupted by sin. A world where death and decay defiles everything it touches, even a silverback gorilla.

So lament the loss of Harambe the gorilla. Cry a tear if you must. Then crack a smile. And lift a hand in worship. Not because a gorilla is dead, but because the image of God is not.  

But shouldn't the zoo be held accountable? What about the parents of this boy? Aren't there any consequences for such negligence? Is there no justice? Yes there is. But it's not always found in the corridors of the Cincinnati Zoo or the courtrooms of Ohio. Justice is found in another senseless death.  It's found at the scene of another murder. It's found in the story of another marvelous tragedy, where Someone died so others might live. It's found at the blood-soaked base of a rough-hewn cross. Justice and mercy are found where One far greater than a trillion gorillas (or humans, for that matter) was willingly slain so you and I might live.