Seek Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7, NIV).
Like many of you, I watched with shock as protestors (a legal right that ought to be celebrated) turned to a mob, which then turned to insurrection at our Capitol building yesterday. I was at home eating lunch when the protestors breached the Capitol building itself. As the events turned uglier and scarier, I walked down the hill to the church office and let everyone in the office know what was happening. We immediately prayed together, as I am sure many of you did while you watched the events unfold.
As I process this, I find myself with multiple feelings and thoughts. I am at a loss for words at the attack on our democracy. I am heartbroken over the loss of life at the Capitol. I am angry that much of what was done yesterday was done in the name of Jesus.
It strikes me odd that these events happened on January 6th. If any of you know much about church tradition, you might know that January 6this “Epiphany,” or the day that the church recognizes the Magi’s journey to find the young boy Jesus. They, of course, went to the place of power – King Herod’s palace in Jerusalem – to seek the young king. Only, the King of kings was not there. Jesus was in a humble home in Bethlehem, being raised by young, faithful, and righteous parents. A few years later that humble king would come back to Jerusalem, not as a military hero, but as a servant. He would be crucified by a mob on behalf of their (and our) sins. Yet the power of God, the true power in the world, would raise Him on the third day.
Herod and Jesus represent two vastly different approaches to power: one temporal and the other eternal. We do not have to wait for the eternal, as the Kingdom of God has come near to us. Jesus actually spoke a lot about power, asking His disciples not to “Lord it over as the Gentiles (read Romans) do.” Instead, Jesus approached power with sacrificial love, truth-telling, mercy, and justice. He calls His disciples to follow His lead to be a people who are forgiving and reconciling.
As I read the rest of the New Testament, the church is described as a holy community, a loving community, and a reconciling community. In our world and to our neighbors, that is the role we must reclaim. We are declared holy and set apart by God (that’s what holiness means – set apart). What are we set apart for? We are set apart to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. We are set apart to partner with God in reconciling the world. This is difficult, slow, creative work that is done through the power, love, and joy of the Holy Spirit.
So how do we respond? Love your neighbor. Seek truth and justice. Love mercy, and walk humbly with Jesus.
Dr. Ray Miller, Pastor of Creivewood Baptist Church