“Preach truth to power” is a popular proverb today. The Apostle Paul did just that. But, in his many encounters with Jewish and Roman religious and political leadership, never did he preach a cause or a party, but rather he preached salvation, healing through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 23:11 reads: “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’”
Later, King Agrippa chides him. “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Yes, Paul did think that. But not so that Agrippa could become a partner wielding loud political power for Christ.
Yet, today we’ve cloaked Christ in political garb. We dress him in red or blue, claim he’s on our team, waving our flag. And our proof texts are many. But this is a misappropriation of Christ. Even Jesus himself, when before the seat of power, did not appropriate it, but rather stood in powerful silence.
Today’s prayer* calls us to repent of our tendency to trust noisy earthly power for our much-needed breath of freedom.
Jesus’ silence speaks freedom louder than fireworks.
*This prayer was previously published in July 2023.
Lord,
Freedom for us is a
Noisy affair.
Rockets flare, bombs burst
In air.
Protests and parades, “My rights
Eclipse theirs.”
Freedom through whatever arms
We bear.
Free to trust by any flag
We swear.
From streets to rooftops, “War,”
We declare.
Bells ringing, crowds singing, “Grant
Us more!”
These noisy demands are often
Called for.
Injustice bears blind eyes and
Deaf ear.
Freedom pillaged is a
Valid fear.
Then I see Jesus silent as
A stone.
Bound and beaten before
Power’s throne.
All power freely drained from
His hands.
“Speak. Defend yourself,”
Injustice demands.
Yet Jesus’ deafening silence even
Injustice hears.
The Father too, silent for over
Four-hundred years,
Pours out quiet freedom through his Son’s
Blood and tears.
Dear God,
Still our tongues
And plant our faith in the Freedom
Of the Silent One.
*This prayer was previously published in July 2023.
powerful truth,… amen
Thank you and happy Fourth of July.
May we take time to stop and be still, to listen and learn from what we hear from sound of silence inside of the noise of this world.
I hope my clear days from long COVID multiply and we can seek some silence on the hiking trail again!
thank you, Eugene,… deep is the truth, that sets us free,… (-:
Happy Fourth. It was good to talk with you the other day.
Good Evening Eugene – Thank you for this. I like Col. 3:1-2 with respect to your Psalm: 1 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. ” I drove east of the city today and found some “God Sightings.” I took photos of them and posted.
Good morning. When we look, God is always there.