The "Supreme" Court

Yesterday the US Supreme Court handed down more of those verdicts that reveal how foolish even the 'wisest' of people can be. Two cases about the public display of the Ten Commandments were decided with 140 pages of legal jargon, most of it nothing more than the preferences of one person dressed up to look like law. In one ruling, the Texas State House display was allowed as part of a 'historical' monument, while in the other the Kentucky court house was told to remove the display because it was an illegal entangling of the state and religion. There will all kinds of hand-wringing on both sides of the issues today.

Some Christians will see this as further evidence that we are living in the "End Times," and the Court will once again prove to be a handy tool for the fund-raising campaigns for various media ministries who will rally Believers to 'hold the line' against the encroachment of godless atheists in government. The People for the American Way will see this as convincing evidence that America is on the brink of a becoming a fundamentalist theocracy ruled by Baptist preachers and they, too, will raise $millions with campaigns centered around that fear!

The Court is responding to a syndrome described today by columnist George Will as "distress delight." He wrote, "Nowadays many people delight in being distressed. They cultivate exquisitely tender sensibilities and practice moral exhibitionism, waxing indignant about minor encounters with thoughts and symbols they dislike."

We followers of Jesus need to get over our sensitivity to being disrespected by those in power!

I have it on good authority that Christians being hated by the world is a normal thing, the way life works in this present world. Our Master said, “When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you!" (John 15:18-20, NLT)

If the Church gets about the business of being the Church- feeding the hungry, proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom, loving the poor - our witness will be so powerful it won't make a bit of difference whether stones etched with the Ten Commandments stand in court house squares or not!

When we insist that the 10 Commandments hang in court houses and classrooms, I believe we are looking for a witness that is more comforting to us in its symbolism than effective in shaping our society. Yes, I am saddened by America's refusal to recognize that there is a God who makes holy demands on people, demands that are sketched out in the Decalogue. It is sad to see our country losing touch with the foundational ideas that shaped our social contracts and laws, but those values won't be preserved by keeping some displays intact! The 10 Commandments are prominently displayed in the Supreme Court in Washington, DC and don't seem to have a bit of influence over the 9 people who sit on that bench!

God's holy law must first be written on our hearts and then we can celebrate it by writing it on the walls. So, instead of being distressed and mailing off a $100 to some right wing political action committee, I'd like to suggest that you consider another response to this evidence of America's drift into secularism.... re-commit yourself to radical discipleship! Pray something like this, "Jesus Christ, you may not be recognized as the Lord of these United States, but I bow at your throne and surrender myself to You. Let my words and my life be a powerful witness to my world, directing their attention to your Kingdom and calling my world to desire your wisdom, to submit themselves to the real "Supreme" court."

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today -
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. " (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)