I have visited Washington, D.C., a few times in my life and each time, I was deeply proud, awed at what far too many who live in the area likely come to take for granted as I have in the towns and cities in which I have lived—the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetery. Along with all the Smithsonian museums, there is even one to Albert Einstein. It is striking, I think, that the newer memorials, the National WWII Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Korean War Veterans Memorial…are all monuments that, notwithstanding Arlington and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, stir feelings of grief and loss due mostly to the violence of war. Even the newest, a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., a proponent of nonviolence, evokes great sadness for me, remembering, 53 years later, the breaking news of his death at the hands of a white supremacist.
Although I am sure that there were a few sermons preached on the following Sunday about it, I haven’t seen anything about something that stands out in my mind. The Capitol riot occurred on Epiphany, the Christian church’s celebration of the day the wise men first saw Jesus, traditionally thought of as the recognition by Gentiles of his arrival to save not just the Israelites, but all mankind. I dare say I had more than one epiphany this year.
I am, as an American, traumatized by the storming of the seat of our democracy by armed insurrectionists. But I am most in despair, as a follower of Jesus, about the apparent belief of some who identify as Christian that the actions of January 6 would in any way be sanctioned (in the positive sense of that word) by the founder of our faith—a belief spread by mendacious men and women who have taken the name of the Lord in vain. I think of the “parable of the sower” and wonder if those who genuinely pray for the overthrow of the government are the “seed [that] fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants” that Jesus spoke of, according to Matthew 13.
Of course, some would argue that I am describing myself. Aware of the fact that I am human, I am quick to introspection. For instance, in the story of the woman “caught in adultery,” I often ask myself if I’m her or one of the people throwing stones. I would not pretend that, as a seed, I have produced in the way of peace nearly as much as Jesus asked of us, but I have been among thorns. Forever scarred by them, I know what they look like. And, I have seldom studied from other people’s notes. As I write today, I’m “auditing” a year of EfM, a 4-year course I took a decade ago. I chose Year Two, which focuses on (and requires the re-reading of) the New Testament.
In Luke, Chapter 22, when Jesus is arrested, it says: 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
And, so, they didn’t. Then,
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. [my emphasis]
Next, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus responded by asking if that was Pilate’s idea or someone else’s. Pilate said, “Am I a Jew? Your own people have brought you to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” [my emphasis]
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. —John 10:27
The voice I hear is weeping.
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Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? —Matthew 7:15-16
Prodigal Prophet 