Thought for Today
Genesis 4:3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
2 Samuel 11:3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, "This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite."
Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 14:72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
What happened to the Lone Ranger? Where did he go? In the days of my youth, he and the other “Good Guys” wore white hats and rode white horses. The “Bad Guys” wore scruffy clothes, were unshaven, had unmanageable hair and rode undistinguished horses. What happened to “Those thrilling days of yesteryear”? Why can’t we return?
I do not remember any moral ambiguity in those days of my youth. I always knew that the Lone Ranger, the Green Lantern, even the Shadow were “Good Guys” fighting evil and corruption. Each had a sidekick who also aided in combating evil. They might have often offered stereotypical, racial profiles . . . but there was no question about which side they were on.
Even in the movies about crime and criminals, there was never any doubt about who was on which side. Only the gangsters wore ill-fitted, double-breasted suits and had crushed fedoras pulled low over their foreheads. Elliott Ness and other FBI agents were obviously “Good Guys.” What happened? Where have all the obviously “Good Guys” gone?
I do not recall any moral ambiguity in the political campaigns of my youth. There was no question that Adlai Stevenson was opposed to Dwight Eisenhower, but I do not remember anyone questioning their ethics or integrity. Was I asleep the whole time? Were there just as many ad hominem attacks then as now? (The answer to both is probably ‘yes’, but that discussion is for another day) What happened? Where have all the obviously “Good Guys” gone?
Have you ever noticed that so many ‘heroes’ and ‘villains’ in the Bible are complex and at times morally ambiguous individuals? They are presented in all their humanity. It is easy to forget that both Cain and Abel were raised by the same parents. Both siblings brought an offering to the Lord. Their moral differences only become apparent in their response to God’s acceptance or rejection of those offerings. In modern, movie parlance, Cain ‘went over to the dark side.’
The king of the United Kingdom during its long-remembered Glory Days, David the son of Jesse, was one of the most complex individuals. The same David who faithfully served Saul, who united the kingdoms of Israel and Judah was the same David who seduced Bathsheba and tried to have Uriah slaughtered in battle to cover up his iniquity.
All Christians have read about how “the scribes and Pharisees” schemed to trap Jesus and to work toward his death. But, notice, Jesus himself acknowledged their righteousness. Jesus told his followers and tells us today that our righteousness must exceed theirs.
And, if there was ever a morally ambiguous, conflicted and complex person in the Bible, if there was a contest, Peter would certainly win the prize. The same disciple who said, "Mark 8:29 You are the Messiah” is the same disciple who denied Jesus 3 times.
What are Christians to do in these times? How do we recognize the “Good Guys” without the aids of white hats and white horses? Also, if both sides of any issue are “Good Guys”, what are we to do? When in doubt, I plan to go with James, “But someone will say, "2:18 You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” And, I plan to pray a lot!
Stay safe, pray often, trust God,
Pastor Ray