In the Midst of Tragedy
Scandals
Over the past several decades, I have witnessed a shift in how news outlets handle tragic events that occur within our nation and around the world. Did you know, there was a time when T.V. stations went off at night and aired nothing? The nightly “sign off”, which allowed their viewers time to rest and recharge, was a welcomed reprieve.
Now news, videos, movies and all things entertainment are on an endless, mind numbing, loop; never stopping. There is no longer silence in the evenings, to escape the madness of the day, only the constant hum of information and opinions.
With the rise and expansion of social media, the algorithm that generates the most views, tend to be stories with a negative connotation. Perhaps it’s just me, but I perceive, that once the news networks and social media puppeteers learned other’s tragedies could be of major gain and profit, they just kept stirring the pot.
For example, my hometown suffered devastatingly, crushing news of scandal, tragedy and sorrow, just this past week. There were multiple individuals involved, in varying degrees of horrific situations. The tentacles of the events that unfolded, wove itself within the walls of a local church, all the way to our police force; as sin, sorrow and death is no respecter or biased of persons. You could not get away from it if you wanted to, as every news outlet within a massive radius of our city, kept churning out story after story and update after update.
What I witnessed online within the “hallowed halls” of social media, made my stomach churn with nausea, and the weight of sadness, already pressing like an anvil on my chest, increase ten fold. How did we get here? Feeding off other’s pain, like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Spewing hateful rhetoric, and shouting horrendous insults through our phone screens, as if our behavior is justified and welcomed by all.
We have been taken for fools, dear friends, as we are playing right into the hands of the media moguls, groomed by the nonstop barrage of negativity oozing from every electronic device we own. It’s easier to control the masses, when we are pitted against one another. I pray we awaken from our slumber, and shake off the sleepy haze that has us blind, and unable to see each other in a way which generates feelings of empathy.
Because of this, there is a looming question within my mind, that I present to you today. My city was last week, yours could be this week. No one is safe from the claws of darkness.
If you are someone who claims the name of Jesus, what should your response look like, when faced with the knowledge of a tragic event, moral failure or someone’s deep depravity?
The sweat dripping from her head, was the perfect adhesive to allow hair and dirt to stick to her face, as they drug her half naked body through the streets. Moaning in pain and fear, she knew what was coming. The law was certain, and these men were determined. She would be breathing her last within a few, short moments.
It took her a second to even understand where she was. The hast and hostility created disorientation, and she wasn’t able to get her bearings quickly. Some of the men pulled her to her feet, and she glanced around to realize she was standing in the middle of the temple court. Her head dropped immediately in shame, wishing she could hide within the barely there robe, hanging precariously from her frame.
“Teacher!” the men called loudly, “This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such, shall be stoned to death, but what do you say?”
The woman dared not lift her head, but raised only her eyes enough to see whom they addressed. She had heard about this man many called the Great Prophet, but she had never seen him in person. What would he say? Would he be the first to throw a stone?
As if reading her thoughts, he began to bend down to the earth. She closed her eyes in anticipation of the first, piercing blow of pain to come. Hot tears began to stream down her cheeks.
But the sting didn’t come, and the men began repeating their question louder, as if they thought this Rabbi hadn’t heard them the first time. What was he doing? Dare she look? Opening one eye to barely a slit, what she saw confused her. Opening both eyes fully now, she realized he had bent over not to pick up a rock, but was writing in the dirt with his finger.
Finally he stood, and addressed the scribes and Pharisees. “Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone at her.” After speaking, he stooped back down and continued his message in the dust. The crowd grew silent and eerily still. One by one, the men left, pulled by the hand of conviction.
After several minutes, she realized her life would be spared. The tears began again, but the emotion behind them was much different from previous. Gratitude filled her heart.
Raising himself once more, Jesus addressed her directly. “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?”
Looking around her for just a moment, she was astonished they had all left. Quickly she lowered her head and eyes and replied, “No one, Lord!”
His voice was tender, yet firm. There was a degree of care behind his words, she had never received from anyone before. “I do not condemn you either.”
At this statement, she bravely lifted her head to face him. The compassion in his eyes took her breath, and she felt like she was home. The lost, broken little girl that still lived inside her head, was suddenly found.
“Go on your way, and from now on, sin no more.”
Staring into his eyes for a moment longer, the woman knew this man was far more than just a mere teacher, he was the fulfillment of every longing within her heart. She bowed low, covering her body as best she could with the torn robe. She left that day, changed-forever.
Compassion speaks louder than hatred.
Love reaches farther than anger.
Jesus showed us the greatest example of empathy, patience, understanding and forgiveness in this one story.
Yes, there was scandal.
Yes, there was sin.
Yes, there was a grave, moral failure.
Christ does not ignore this fact, He addresses it, as all sin should be; however, it is the WAY in which it was handled we should take note of. He did not yell, finger point, name call or shame. There were no stones thrown, insults hurled or put downs lobbed.
When news, Facebook or Instagram have a juicy story to broadcast, the emotions we feel are real, and most often justified. The anger from injustice, the sorrow from innocence stolen, the heartbreak of communities ripped in pieces, and the disbelief and grief when you realize the person you thought you knew, morphed into something unrecognizable in an instant. Every one of these reactions are valid.
What we must learn to do in those moments, is take all of those massive feelings that are welling up inside, and spill them onto the feet of Jesus, before you spew them out on Facebook. Let the Lord help you process through all of the pain, confusion and sorrow. This will bring clarity, so your heart will have a better response to the situation.
The church should never shy away from addressing sinful behavior. The saying, “Don’t judge me, because only God can judge me” is a lie. God has given us markers and a plum line in the scriptures, so we can judge the actions of other brothers and sisters rightly and accurately. But, He also has given us example after example of how to address these issues in a firm, yet loving way.
Above all, do not think too highly of yourself, nor have a haughty attitude of heart. What? You think you are too righteous to sin in such a way? Your sin is “mild” in comparison to others? Do not be fooled, for with that mindset, the devil already has a foothold. Paul makes this clear when he tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13a, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life, are no different from what others experience.”
The Bride of Christ should stand out as a beacon of hope, love and truth. We should be as wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. (Matthew 10:16) We should hit our knees, and travail in prayer for those hurting and broken, not hit them with insults.
And sometimes… if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.
