|
There is a true story originating back to the summer of 1966, in New Jersey, at a local bar named the Lafayette.
Witnesses reported that at about 2:30am on June 17th, two men came armed into the Lafayette bar and opened fire, killing
three people. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a famous African-American boxer, was driving home around that
same time from a social event that previous evening, with John Artis, an acquaintance of his, when they were later stopped
and arrested because their car and overall profile supposedly matched the description of the two men seen leaving the
bar right after the murders took place. Later convicted and sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison, this case sparked great controversy in the United States, for it was strongly believed that both Carter and Artis were innocent and that a great social injustice had taken place, fueled by racism, along with Carter’s huge success as a top middleweight boxer. Throughout his trial, following retrial appeals ending with the same guilty verdict, and more than 20 years in prison, Carter consistently maintained his innocence and sought after justice. In subsequent appeals, key witnesses changed or recanted their testimony and with the help of several people dedicated to proving his innocence, in 1988, he was exonerated and freed, to which we understand his famous words, "Hate got me into this place. Love got me out." As inspiring as this story is, we can relate to it by realizing that stories of injustices aren’t uncommon among Christians and those who have chosen to follow God instead of man, as well. In which case, it can be observed that following God won’t necessarily result in one’s life being free of pain and suffering. Rather, to some extent, it makes one more likely to live a life with more difficulties. We know of many biblical figures whose lives were unjustly affected by the rulers and societies of their day, attributed primarily to outside hatred of that dedication and service to God. The lies of Potiphar’s wife sent Joseph to prison. Herod seized Peter and threw him in prison, in order to please the Jews (after having James, the brother of John, murdered). Paul and Silas were seen together in prison, singing hymns and praying, reflecting on the injustices that imprisoned them. Samson had his eyes gouged out and his legs bound with bronze shackles, during his imprisonment. Jeremiah’s prison was a cistern. John the Baptist was unjustly imprisoned because Herod disliked his advice on marriage; John was later beheaded. Simeon was imprisoned in order to make sure that his brothers would return. Zedekiah also had his eyes put out and was bound with bronze shackles, sent off to prison in Babylon. And speaking of the Babylonian captivity, we all know what happened to Daniel and his three friends due to their adamant devotion to the Lord. Jesus acknowledged the fact that His brothers (His Church) would suffer through numerous persecutions and often imprisonment, by reminding His disciples that by visiting their brethren in prison, they were likewise visiting Him. When considering all of this, however, don’t let it get you down. Rather, rejoice in your suffering, remembering those before us, and listen to the words of Paul and Barnabas: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) |