Finding Justice in Ferguson

[Title Photo Attribution: Original Source; CC 2.0]

You are obsessed. It’s in your DNA. It’s represented in the books you read, the shows you watch, and the movies you love. You are obsessed with justice.

Perhaps you haven’t thought about it quite like that before. But, the idea of someone being wronged, especially you, is maddening. We hate it. As a being made in the image of God, we want a person who wrongs us to be held accountable for their actions. We want them exposed. We demand it. It’s hard-wired in us. Our souls yearn for justice.

• This is why there are 200 versions of the show CSI.
• This is why we love it when the hero wins at the end.
• This is why we have shows like Judge Judy.
• This is why kids tattle.
• This is why we have court systems.
• This is often the cause of arguments.
• This is why there is a superhero team called “The Justice League”
• This is why I can’t stop listening to the Serial Podcast (go listen to this if you have not already!)
• This is why I can’t stand the idea of someone being wrongly accused and imprisoned.
• This is why the world has been captivated with Ferguson.

Regardless of where you fall on the issues surrounding Ferguson, you watched and listened because you desired to see good prevail (in whatever that means to you) and justice upheld. The problem is that “justice” may mean something different to you than it does to me, or the rioters. Therein lies the big problem. Sin has a way of skewing our perception of reality. It warps it. Our natural desire for justice becomes distorted, mixed with pride; it becomes an ugly, self-justifying, animal.

Protests that may start off with great intentions on an important subject are twisted and become evidence of a deeper problem that plagues us all.

Benjamin Watson, a black NFL Player, wrote a moving piece where he says, “Its not a skin problem, its a sin problem.” He’s right. Our misguided efforts to “preserve” justice often become expressions of the dark nature of our hearts.

We love and demand justice so much, we will undo it to prove it; a two-wrongs make a right sort of mentality.  We see this happening in Ferguson. But they are not alone, I will find ways to justify my sin if it’s convenient to my desires. I am just like rioters, perhaps, only better at hiding. I am broken.

I need the blood of Jesus to cover my sins.

It’s a little ironic. I want justice but I need grace. Much of the beauty and mystery of the cross is that both the yearning for justice and grace were completely fulfilled. Justice is satisfied so grace can be extended. This is great news for me, for you, and all those longing for justice around the world. This is where we must start here if we want to set right compass of what is just and true. This is the hope for me, Ferguson and racial equality.

Minister John Perkins once said that “I am persuaded that the Church, as the steward of this gospel, holds the key to justice in our society. Either justice will come through us or it will not come at all.” The longer I live on this planet the more I am convinced that he is right. Without the church, being fueled by the gospel, our attempts at executing justice will fail. Our intents will be marred with sin and pride. They will end in riots and wars instead of true justice.

Because the church has been shown the extraordinary, life-changing, grace we possess. Our eyes are opened and we can begin to see the world clearer. This gives us a starting place and the keys to seeing and responding rightly to the problems that ail societies. It is our duty as the church to go into the world and redeem it. Justice will come through us or not all. The church must and shall prevail.

If the events in Ferguson tell us anything, it tells us we have work to do