A couple of news stories stood out to me amongst all of the post-election hype and blame casting this week. On the surface, both stories involve those evil MAGA Republicans and the unthinkable things they are always doing. Lol!
The first story involves a prominent player from the National Football League, Nick Bosa. Nick is the highest paid defensive player in the league and plays for the San Francisco 49ers. He was fined $11,255 this past Saturday for wearing a MAGA hat at a football game..
There are two interesting things in this story. The first is, Nick knew he was going to be fined by the league - and he didn't care. The second point of interest is this . . .
Although this a clear violation of league policy, the NFL waited until AFTER the presidential election to fine him. They didn't want to get those MAGA-Republicans any more fired up than they already were. Sheesh!
The second story is about FEMA and even more disgusting than the first. A FEMA administrator was fired last week after she instructed her relief workers to skip over any hurricane damaged houses featuring Trump or MAGA signs in their front yards. Even Democrats condemned her actions.
These two stories reflect a "clear and present danger" in our country. Each features a powerful entitee (the NFL and FEMA) using their power to effectively silence people, even denying help to the hurting. Lady Justice is supposed to be blind, not peeking out from under her blindfold to choose who to help or punish.
What does all of this have to do with Jesus? First, just one more example. Check this out.
In 2023, a woman was arrested in the UK for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. She has since been cleared of wrongdoing and has even received an apology and a £13,000 judgement in her favor. The point is this.
Back in Jesus' day there was an oppressive government in power - the Roman Empire. Everyone had to submit to Ceasar's authority. Christians were being crucified for things they were saying and believing in.
We are inching closer to that again today. Governments around the world are persecuting and killing their own citizens for their beliefs, even contrary to their own laws.
It seems that justice is a concept seldom practised these days. What has happened to the world we live in? Well, these unjust things are happening because we have removed Jesus from the judgement seat and replaced Him with our own craving for power.
There is an old saying that goes, "absolute power corrupts, absolutely." That has always proven true - with man. Not so with God.
"God is a righteous judge. I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." - Psalm 7:11,17
With justice comes judgement for the disobedient. I for one am grateful for God's righteous and just judgements. And I am also grateful that Jesus has already paid the price for the unrighteous things I have done.
Thank you Lord!