Sometimes people rush to judgment. They become judge, jury and executioner. Their emotions get so wrapped up in something that reasoning goes out the window. And we have all had this happen to us at some point in our lives. Our anger gets the better of us and we blurt out something we later regret. We point our finger at someone or some group after their actions have negatively affected us. Something isn’t going our way, so we make it go our way.
Down through history people have tried to shape and mold their corners of the world. Often those shapings and moldings have been reactionary and non-deliberative. They have been kneejerk reactions to events. Some perceived injustice happens and people react.
But not all those reactions are spontaneous. Some are deliberately planned events. We know that many of the Occupy Wall Street protests were staged events. Some participants were paid to be present, to push the agenda. What couldn’t be accomplished through our deliberative political process would be pushed through the staged media coverage. This was community organizing on a national level.
The Ferguson, Missouri grand jury results announcement are another example of events shaped and molded by outside political influences. Yes, the young man’s death was tragic. I would dare say horrific for the family and friends. Most young black men are killed by other young black men, not by white police officers. They would have expected a different life for their son.
But then this young man’s death takes on a life of its own as national political figures get involved. They lend their voice to the cries of injustice. Why this young man? Thousands of young men are killed every year, generally whites by whites and blacks by blacks. So why get involved in this one?
This one feeds into a well taught narrative of white privilege and power. It reinforces a powerful stereotype that energizes a certain portion of the electorate. This story could be used to push an agenda. This story had tremendous emotional power that could be turned into pressure and votes. At least that is how I see it.
So the religious leaders have gathered to deal with the Jesus problem. Their trumped up charges don’t pan out, but they hit the jackpot with Jesus’ blasphemous statements. Although blasphemy is not an offense in the eyes of Rome, there could be some political pressure and manipulation that could be turned in their favor. So they begin to exact their form of justice from Jesus’ physical body.
Jesus’ popularity and His stubborn refusal to yield to pressure could be a danger to Rome. If it could be argued that Jesus was a threat because He might lead a rebellion, that might fly. Rome did not like people who usurped their authority. But all the leaders had now was Jesus claiming to be God. So they let Jesus have it. They were angry at His steadfastness, even in the face of death. He did not bend to their will. He did not compromise. They did.
The Arnold Journey 