How does one begin to describe the times in which we live? One word that could be used is "riots." America has seen its share of riots in the past - almost from its founding. Perhaps the very first riot was known as the Shays Rebellion that occurred in Massachusetts in 1786-87. It was a very isolated event, but it tested the resolve of the new nation. Then there were the Draft Riots that occurred in New York City in 1863, protesting President Lincoln's call for the drafting of men to serve in the Union Army. These riots lasted four days and dozens of people, primarily blacks, were beaten or killed. Again, it was a very isolated event, but it tested the resolve of the President to bring an end to the Civil War. There were the Rodney King riots that occurred in 1992 in Los Angeles following on the heals of the alleged police brutality of this cab driver. But, once again, this was a very isolated event. There were the riots in the Deep South in the late 1950's and into the 1960's that formed the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement. These riots expanded beyond the localized events of the past. Again, a nation's resolve toward the inclusion of all was tested. In many ways that resolve is still being tested.
But what we are seeing today is a proliferation of riots across our country. It seems that nearly every major city in America has had some type of "march" these past few weeks. These events are filled with the voices of deep seated hatred. These riots have been the scenes of the destruction of property and the harming of human lives. Are these riots and demonstrations the result of grass-roots outcries against injustice? From some of the interviews I have heard and read from those who have participated in such events, there is a voiced uncertainty over the exact reason for those events.
As I have watched those riots and marches, my mind was drawn back to those final days in the life of Jesus Christ. Listen to these words as recorded by Matthew: "Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, 'Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?' For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. ... But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. ... When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!'" (Matthew 27:15-18, 20, 24).
Picture the scene: It is Passover time which meant that there were hundreds of thousands of people in Jerusalem. The previous week, Jesus had been greeted with a hero's welcome as He entered into the city. The Pharisees and religious leaders quickly sensed that they were losing control. How could they accomplish their intended goal, namely the death of Jesus, without arousing the wrath of Rome? What better way to do that but to stir up the crowd. And so "plants" were placed among the crowds that milled around the streets and alleyways of Jerusalem. They targeted a few key individuals who could be counted on to get the crowd aroused. And soon, Pilate had a full scale riot on his hands. I believe that if you had asked the common person, who was shouting "Crucify him!", why he was making those statements, few could really answer. Perhaps the strong majority really did not care one way or the other who was released, Barabbas or Jesus. They were just caught up in the excitement of the moment. It was a typical crowd mentality.
When I see those crowd-pictures flashing on the network screens, I ask myself this question: "How many of those people can clearly articulate why they are there?" I believe the strong majority cannot. They just want to be included in something.
Friends, what I grieve most for these days is that we have lost the ability to sit down and have a civil conversation with another over the differences we might have. We have lost respect for each other. We descend into the morass of vitriol and name-calling. We no longer can listen with an open-mind, seeking to find a foundation of truth upon which we can safely anchor. The voice of reason has been silenced. The voice of objectivity has disappeared. Now it seems that the one who has the sharpest invectives is the one whose voice is most strongly heard. Thus the proliferation of hate-filled speech. Thus the rise of the crowd-mentality.
So, how is a believer to respond? I am reminded of those words of admonition from the Apostle Paul, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6). Grace-filled speech shared with others can bring a calming impact. Grace-filled speech means that I have carefully considered both sides of the argument. Grace-filled speech means that I seek the betterment, not of myself, but of the community around me. Grace-filled speech means that I am careful about the terms I use to describe someone else. But, grace-filled speech is not easy to give. I believe it can only be given as we have given ourselves personally into that marvelous grace of Jesus. He floods us with His presence and He then speaks through us.
Sadly, I believe that the hatred we are seeing evidence of today, will only increase in the coming years until Jesus returns. The Apostle Paul, in his final letter written to Timothy, describes how he envisioned the attitudes of people in the last days. Let me share just a few of his descriptors: people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, unholy, unforgiving, without love, slanderous, brutal, treacherous, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-4). We can either cower in fear or we can boldly, with grace-filled speech, declare the love of God to a world that continues to shout, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
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