Speaking Truth

In the 20th and 21st chapter of the book of Luke, in a narrative occurring during the midpoint of Holy Week, we find that Jesus is teaching in the Temple in the face of confrontation. He did not shrink back from the discussion and demonstrated the incredible wisdom of God.

Jesus had finished sharing a parable about a vineyard - the owner had sent three servants to collect the fruit, but they were beaten by those tending to the vineyard. Finally, the heir was sent, and his life was taken. In Luke 20, we can read:

17 Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone'?
18 "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."
19 And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people--for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.
20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

The religious leaders of the day, who were intent to silencing the witness of Jesus, because He was a threat to their system and teaching.  The used deception and trickery in order to trap Him.  But, He was not deterred and provides us a wonderful example of grace and determination in the midst of opposition. If we are reliant on Him, we can depend on Jesus to give us the capacity to engage with our critics in a non-combative, firm, and convicted way.

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On the Wednesday of Holy Week, Jesus was challenged by some of the "religious" leaders of the day - after all, they saw him as a threat. Luke 19 states:
47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him,
48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

The self-appointed gatekeepers of what constitutes proper religious speech these days are at it again not too far from us, taking the Jefferson County school board to task for allowing prayers prior to football games. Initial news stories indicate that school officials capitulated to the atheist group, the Freedom from Religion Foundation.  According to Faithwire, though, there may be more to that story.

The FFRF said that prayer before games at Gardendale and Pinson Valley High Schools was improper.  The Faithwire article said:

“It is unconstitutional for a public school to sponsor religious messages at school athletic events,” the atheist group noted in a statement. “The Supreme Court has continually struck down school-sponsored prayer in public schools.”

The district responded, via an attorney, in a letter last month noting the prayers would indeed come to an end.

“The Superintendent met with school principals, and the administration will not allow prayer at school-sponsored events, including football games,” it read.

Case closed? Maybe not.  Last week, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin issued a statement, according to according to WBMA-TV.

Faithwire says:

The district’s new statement detailed not only a defense of invocations but said the initial attorney’s response sent to FFRF — while done in “good faith” — wasn’t meant to “provide a comprehensive analysis of school prayer in every context.” It also purports the superintendent and board didn’t approve the initial letter before it was mailed.

The WBMA (ABC33/40) story included these words from the statement:

Any assertion that the Jefferson County Schools system will no longer permit school prayer during school activities is simply not correct. The right to pray and to religious expression is guaranteed under our laws and Constitution...Let us be clear, this board of education and superintendent fully supports the rights of its students and all members of the education community to pray and engage in voluntary religious expression in school settings.

The article from the TV station adds:

The school system concluded its statement by underlining that its attorneys are preparing for its approval of a formal resolution supporting the position of Washington football coach Joseph Kennedy in his effort to secure the right to pray with his team and members of the public following games. This case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

But, that language of the letter, while purporting to honor religious freedom, does not necessarily override the cessation of prayer before football games, in my estimation. The school district gets mixed reviews here: they seem to capitulated to the FFRF, but they are now attempting to walk that back while throwing their attorney under the bus.  We will see if statements affirming religious freedom will result in solid action. And, they are supportive of Coach Kennedy, it seems.

Jesus did not capitulate to the "bullies" who attempted to, as the Scriptures say, "destroy Him." He answered their questions in a shrewd and reasoned manner.  In one instance, He pointed out their hypocrisy, according to Luke 21; these leaders asked him about the authority under which He operated.  We can read:
3 But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:
4 The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men?"
5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'
6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

You might think that is a brilliant response, but I could never do that.  Jesus also taught that He would give us the words to speak when we stand before authorities, when we are persecuted for our faith.  We can remember to rely on God to be bold to share our faith, and then if there is pushback or negative consequences, to continue to rely on Him.

We have to understand that there are those who want to "bully" us for our faith.  The FFRF has made an industry out of going after people demonstrating their religious freedom.  Sometimes they are successful, other times they have been rejected for trying to shut up people of faith. In honoring our Lord, we can have that mindset to not be silent, to not be ashamed of our faith in Him.

We can be inspired by examples, such as Coach Joe Kennedy, who would not allow authorities acting improperly to stop him from engaging in protected speech - a simple, postgame prayer on the football field after a game.  Sure, others voluntarily joined him; I believe they were drawn to his light and to his witness.  As we follow Christ, we can seek to have a witness that is compelling.