Yesterday, I waded into the Trayvon Martin case and offered a call for calm and due process. Today, I offer a Christian response to the situation. Mind you, I cannot for certain say that it is THE Christian response, but it is the one I offer after thought and prayer on the subject. It might take a little while to read through the argument, but I believe it will be worth your time.
Most of the commentary from my own denomination and fellow clergy have focused on the issue of justice. The presiding bishop of the ELCA even took this path. It's not surprising given my own denomination's linking of the Christian faith to justice. In fact, I would argue that the majority of clergy in the ELCA see Christianity as synonymous with justice.
However, what if the assumption is wrong? What if Christianity is not about justice and is instead about reconciliation and redemption?
Don't get me wrong. Justice is a strong part of the Christian faith. In fact, reading through the Old Testament shows just how important justice is to God:
1. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and forbidden to eat from the Tree of Life because it was God's justice for their sin.
2. God destroyed the world and all that was in it by the great flood because of the injustice of humankind--saving only Noah and his family and enough animals to repopulate the earth.
3. God delivered justice upon the Egyptians for enslaving the Hebrews decimating their power through the 10 plagues and then destroying their army in the Red Sea.
4. God swallowed up a portion of the people of Israel for turning away from Him and causing rebellion on the way to the Promised Land.
5. As the people were becoming established in the Promised Land, they turned from God numerous times. God exacted justice by allowing foreign tribes to conquer the people of Israel. When the people repented, God sent Judges to free them.
6. When the Kingdom of Israel was established, God sent numerous prophets to call for justice; and when their calls fell on deaf ears, God punished the people by allowing the Assyrians and Babylonians to conquer them.
As one reads through the Old Testament, a clear pattern is established of God calling His people to account and doling out justice when they fail to measure up to following His law. God could have chosen to continue in this unhealthy pattern, but as they say, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
For the God-honest truth is that we as humans will not change. We continually rebel against God. We continue to commit injustice. We continue to sin. A wise man once wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." We deserve God's punishment for this. We deserve God's justice.
And justice for sin is not pretty. "For the wages of sin is death." Such is what we deserve. Such is God's justice.
Yet, God chose to act differently. God chose to take a different path. God chose the path of reconciliation and redemption. God sent Christ who would die in our stead--thus satisfying God's justice, and offering God's mercy--reconciliation between humankind and God. This reconciliation empowers us then to respond in like manner--seeking reconciliation between each other. God's reconciliation also comes with the promise of redemption--a new relationship between God and humankind; a relationship founded in forgiveness and grace.
So, we must now ask ourselves how such reconciliation and redemption can apply in the Trayvon Martin shooting? How may such a path be walked which satisfies justice yet focuses upon reconciliation and redemption? Is there anyone willing to imitate Jesus in what He did for us?
As I reflected upon that final question, I began to ask myself what kind of courage it would take to go to Florida and offer myself up to arrest in George Zimmerman's stead. I wondered what kind of courage it would take to tell the communities affected by this tragedy (both in the taking of Trayvon's life and the ensuing manufactured racial crisis), "I will sit in jail and await trial in Zimmerman's stead. Someone will be arrested (satisfying justice) and we can now await the evidence coming forth without all the controversy (showing mercy)."
Sadly, I'm not sure I have the courage to do such a thing. Plus, I live in Texas, and we're embarking upon Holy Week. Ah, but could you imagine the power it would show if Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson would do such a thing? Could you imagine the head scratching that would go on if one of the ELCA's bishops (or any other denomination's bishops or leaders) would do such a thing? Could you imagine the completely counter-cultural stand it would have in this issue? Could you imagine such a thing offering a pathway to reconciliation and redemption?
I personally can.
And what a breath of fresh air it would provide to the circus and heightened anxiety produced in our culture today.
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