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to this ministry"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead" (2 Timothy 4:1). "God will judge those outside" (1 Corinthians 5:13). "But they (pagans) will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead" (1 Peter 4:4).
The fallout is increasing concerning the offense taken by Muslims on what they see as disrespect shown to their religious founder. Scenes from all over the world show violent protests, flags and embassies burned and even kidnappings and deaths. For believers accustomed to seeing our Lord mocked and ridiculed by an unbelieving world this is outstanding. Recently a prominent rapper was photographed in a mocking pose of Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head.
About 20 years ago there was a lot of controversy here in the USA concerning perversions in art. (The example that comes to mind is so depraved I will not place it here in the body of the message.) At that time I recall being extremely incensed by the issue but never burned anything over it. I might have written my congressman or signed a petition. I realize depraved men will act in a depraved manner.
A biblical outlook asserts that God will judge. Although we may very well address and speak out concerning what we perceive as injustices and there are appropriate ways to do so, we realize that ultimately God will judge.
At times God does judge immediately. In the Scriptures we have the record of God's immediate judgment concerning Korah in the OT and Ananias and Sapphira in the NT.* But at other times God delays His judgment. This judgment is future in each of the Scripture accounts in the daily Scripture texts.
You may be dealing with an injustice today. It may be a situation against our faith such as the mockery of our Lord or the depraved "art" or it might be a personal circumstance you are dealing with.
Today my word of encouragement is found in the final book and chapter of the Bible. It's a certainty. "Let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. When confronted with evil behavior and blasphemous depictions of the Holy One my heart is broken. May that always be so. I feel righteous indignation toward the offender and all the while I see an image of You reaching Your nail-pierced hand toward the one who has struck You. The contrasting picture of the very best and the very worst can only come together in the intersect of a cross where You provide redemption for all who will come to You in humility with a repentant heart. Thank You for Your non-discriminate mercy that reaches to the uttermost.
* The specific example that comes to mind as I prepare this was a blasphemy concerning a crucifix in urine. Because other perverted artists deemed it as "art" it was considered to be so. As a non-artist I deem at blasphemous trash. In fact the title of the "work" (which I specifically recall) was so blasphemous that I am unable to repeat it here. Of course as mentioned above God will be the final judge. As far as I know this "artist" is still alive. He will most certainly stand before the risen Lord he blasphemously mocked. Incidentally the issue in this and similar cases was not whether the perverted artist had a right to make such "art" but rather whether it should be funded by the taxpayer. I still recall discussing this with my Guatemalan host when I was visiting that country and the heated argument I had with him as to whether this was a legitimate use of tax dollars. He maintained it was! (Of course he wasn't paying anything toward it.)
Two additional thoughts concerning today's message:
1) I do feel we can lose the sense of outrage when our Lord is mocked. We need to use appropriate means to express ourselves. However surely our faith would not condone violence as a response.
2) A tremendous aspect of our faith is the hope of redemption. As the old hymn states, "The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives."
* Numbers 16 Acts 5
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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