REJECTING THE GOOD; ACCEPTING THE WORST

BIBLE PASSAGE:
When they came to the place called the Skull, there
they crucified Him, along with the criminals – one
on His right, the other on His left.
(Luke 23:33)

MEDITATION:
Do you ever get upset over what appears to be unfair justice?
Have you noticed how it seems that the guilty either go free or
do not receive adequate punishment for their crimes? Some of
those who are incarcerated have much better living conditions
than they did before they were imprisoned; it’s almost like they
are being rewarded for their crimes.

It can cause us to wonder why the way criminals are treated is
considered to be under the umbrella of justice. The pain for the
victims continue, while some of the perpetrators are enjoying a
better life.

Granted the removal from society is punishment, but how can
that compare with the heartache and emotional trauma they
have caused others to suffer? Sometimes the scales of justice
can seem out of balance.

For whatever reason, it seems that human nature has a growing
tendency to reject the best and accept the worst. There is a thing
called ‘group dynamics’, which means that sometimes people will
choose to ‘go with the flow’ of a group, even if it goes against their
personal morals and preferences.

For instance, someone who never had any thoughts about rioting,
damaging personal property of others, hurting others, and looting
businesses, can be influenced by these kinds of group actions and
it results in their becoming a participant in this criminal behavior.

Injustice is not something new; we can see that it existed
even when Jesus walked the earth in human form.
    “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out
      again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no
      basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom
      for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of
      the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of
      the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give
      us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an
      uprising.
      (John 18:38-40)

Even though the Roman governor could find no charges against
Jesus, the people ‘in mass’ asked for the release of Barabbas – a
man who was a participant of group actions that included murder.
    A man called Barabbas was in prison with the
    insurrectionists who had committed murder in
    the uprising.
    (Mark 15:7)

In addition to the release of a guilty criminal, the ‘mass of people’
demanded the crucifixion of an innocent Jesus, who could not be
proven to have committed any type of crime.
    “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is
      called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They
      all answered, “Crucify him!”
      (Matthew 27:22)

Even though there was no evidence of His committing any crime, or
breaking any laws, the Roman governor gave the people a choice of
an innocent man should be punished. The ‘group’ chose to have Him
killed in a most inhumane way, while they celebrated the release of 
a man who was guilty of murder.

What an injustice! The people chose to reject the best and embrace
the worst. They chose to kill a non-killer, and to not kill a killer (or
even keep him in prison where he could not harm others). We can see
how sinful people can unite with each other, and with those who are
not fully committed to their faith, to influence the decisions made by
those in authority.

Sin can distort the thoughts of people to the degree that innocent
people are called guilty, and guilty people are considered innocent,
and set free. That is the power sin can have on the minds of people.
    When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”
    For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt
    anyone; but each person is tempted when they are
    dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
    Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
    and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
    (James 1:13-15)

ACTION:
Consider these questions:
    – How has sin affected your opinions, thoughts, and morals?
    – Do you find yourself struggling with
       the ability to stand firm with your beliefs?
    – Are you easily influenced by group opinions and actions,
       even if they are in opposition to your personal beliefs?
    – Does your desire to be liked by others,
       prevent you from standing with what is right?

There is never a right time to do what is wrong, and there
is never a wrong time to do what is right. Make wise choices.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have allowed sin to confuse
my thoughts and actions. Jesus, thank You for willingly going
to the cross for my sins. When I think about Your death at Calvary,
my heart is humbled by the magnitude of Your love for me and all
mankind. Lord, I pray that You will remind me to always be honest
and fair in all that I do. I ask You to also help me speak freely about
what You did for me on the cross and how You have changed my life.
Teach me to be courageous and outspoken regarding my faith in You.
Make me strong, bold, and unswayable in my faith and belief in You.
Give me the confidence I need to do what is right in all circumstances.”

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