3/28/2022
Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of grace."
So, unless you are ignoring the news or living in a cave, you know what happened at the Oscars last night. Will Smith, the amiable talented actor, hit comedian Chris Rock for making a joke at his wife's expense. This was shortly before he became only the fifth African-American man to win in the Best Actor category. Only four others have won in that category in the past 94 years. This entire situation was an unfortunate one, as it overshadowed Smith's win. as well as the other wins, completely. It saddens and confuses me, because I always felt like he was one of the good guys in that industry.
He very tearfully gave an acceptance speech where he talked about being called to protect people. He also shared what Denzel Washington said directly after the incident: "At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you." Wow! I thought about those words and how there is so much truth in them. So many times when people of God reach a professional apex, they fall and fall hard. Sometimes it is through their own doing, and sometimes it is though other's doing, but the destroyer is behind it all.
Smith said he wants to "be a vessel for love." This, of course, rang hollow after what he had done just an hour before, but can any of us truly say that is not how he truly feels? Can any of us say that we have not acted out in anger in our lives at all? Even if we do not physically respond, we may respond with words and judgments that cut just as deep. John 8:7 "...Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." These were the words of Jesus. Is Smith worthy of redemption and forgiveness? If your answer is no, my next question is: are any of us? Jesus came to earth as a living sacrifice for exactly that, and no one is beyond redemption even if in our humanity we cannot quiet understand that truth. Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption the is in Christ Jesus."
If we seek forgiveness, we should be able to also extend it to others.
1 comment:
I did pick up on Denzel's comment and thought it was powerful. I haven't weighed in much on the debate one way or the other because I told my students yesterday I have lots of mixed emotions on it. I thought it was wrong obviously to strike someone like that. WWJD? Certainly not strike someone. But the feelings of anger raging inside of Will Smith who seemingly laughed at first and then switched on a dime and exploded are feelings most have experienced in their lives. He's human. We're human. We all make horrible mistakes. Is he above forgiveness? Of course not. We all crave that forgiveness and while it may not have been a reaction I agree with, who am I to judge? It's also a larger commentary on the world and how we seemingly handle things now violently. My morality class has discussed this at great length. And now? It just leads to more questions. As I said to my students, morally, we know what is right and wrong. But knowing it and acting on it are two VERY DIFFERENT things. No one is beyond redemption and that's because we have a Lord who loves us deeply.
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