One of our family members posted a comment on Facebook about the recent tragedy in Minneapolis.  She wondered why more ministers weren’t speaking about it.  Unfortunately, what she really wanted was for ministers to speak out about it the way she wants them to speak out about it!  And that’s part of the problem right there.  I ended up speaking about it without speaking about it.  I intentionally altered the order of my series in Jeremiah and the result was the topic at hand said something about current events and our response to them.  Some probably want me to be more “political” with my sermons.  Some probably don’t want me to speak about political topics at all.  Here is my understanding of my role in all of this.

(1) First of all, I probably have a unique perspective.  Some of you remember Jerry Falwall.  My undergraduate was at Liberty University, and I sat under his teaching at Thomas Road Baptist Church.  The bottom line was this: you either loved him or hated him in the community.  He was polarizing, and he was polarizing for much of the country as well.  So much so that (and this is what I believe) some of his opinions, understandings, and interpretations became what people thought the Bible taught.  Sometimes that was okay.  Sometimes it wasn’t!  But that instilled in me a deep-seated desire to make sure that my preaching and teaching was Bible based.  Some may not like the amount of Scripture I use in a sermon, but this is one of the reasons that I do.  If I share my opinion or application, I want it to be backed up with even more Scripture.

(2) Our society tends to reward the hot take.  News wants to report things first.  Influencers want others to hear their opinions first.  Often media, politicians, and even preachers measure their response in sound bites.  How about a 24 hour rule?  Or a 48 hour rule?  Or a one week rule?  Why not make sure we have all the facts before forming an opinion?  I’ve seen two fake pictures from the most recent death in Minneapolis (I guess, unfortunately, that I should say “most recent death at this time”).  Each was produced by AI to present either the ICE agents or the protester in the worst possible light.  This is the society we live in right now.  I’m sorry to say that too many people will just take one of those pictures and use it to inform their opinion, never finding out what is true and right.

(3) And why does that opinion have to be lock step with whatever group we identify with?  I frequently find myself at odds with everyone.  There is very little room for nuance in today’s society.  Sometimes there is no “right” side.  Sometimes things are just a tragic series of events.  Sometimes everyone is wrong.  And pointing that out shouldn’t make you an enemy of one or both sides.

(4) As I said on Sunday, we should pray for God to bring justice and not seek vengeance ourselves.  But whose justice?  Our justice?  Our groups justice?  Or real and true justice?  When we pray for or against somebody, when we pray for evil to be punished, when we pray for one group or another, how do we know we’re praying for the right thing or for the right side?  Maybe there is no right side!  Maybe the side that looks right currently won’t look so good in a week!  Jesus is our model here both in the Lord’s prayer and in the garden prayer.  “Thy will be done.”  “Not my will, but thine be done.”

(5)  And we should always try to be as merciful and compassionate as possible in our own lives.  Even with those we disagree with.  Even those who dislike and hate us.  Because that’s the example Jesus set before us.

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV) “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”