Peacemaking and the George Zimmerman Trial

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Scripture: 1 John 4:16–21 (NRSV)
16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Meditation:
            Those who have read my previous writings know that I have used this verse before when writing meditations. This scripture passage contains my favorite verses in the whole of the Bible. I can constantly turn to these words to judge if my life is on course or not. Am I fearful? Of what am I afraid and why? I know that these scriptures can serve as a map to help keep me focused on Jesus Christ and his love for me and the world.
            That is why at this time of national division over the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial I think these verses can be useful for us as Christians in this nation to judge ourselves in this matter. I, like you, have heard many different opinions on this trial. Much of the reaction I have heard I believe comes from fear. If nothing else a fear that God is not capable of rendering a true and just verdict in this case so we humans must push for the verdict we want.
            God through his Son Jesus suffered and died so that both Trayvon’s and George’s sins were paid for at the cross. When the resurrection of the dead happens on the Day of Judgment God is more than qualified to render a true and just verdict on these people and the acts not only of that night but of their entire lives. But we humans are not willing to take a chance on God’s verdict. We are afraid, much as the prophet Jonah was, that God will be willing to accept repentant hearts and render a verdict based on God’s mercy instead of God’s wrath.

            All I can say is Lord save us from such foolishness. God alone can render true verdicts. God’s justice alone can walk the line between mercy and wrath. True righteousness will be found in God alone not in any human attempt to mete out justice based on our fears and prejudice. Justice is mine says the Lord, I will repay. May we learn to step out past our fears into that truth. Amen.

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