Devotional: Jesus did not engage in slander or gossip
At the start of the McCarthy era, Floridian Claude Pepper, one of the Senate’s most outspoken liberals, was on the conservatives’ “hit list,” along with many other senators.
George Smathers lashed out with some typical right-wing invective — he called his opponent “the Red Pepper” — and he launched a campaign to expose Pepper’s secret “vices.” Smathers disclosed that Pepper was “a known extravert,” his sister was a “thespian,” and his brother a “practicing homo sapien.” Also, when Pepper went to college, he actually “matriculated.” Worst of all, he “practiced celibacy” before marriage. Naturally, rural voters were horrified, and Pepper lost. (Book of Lists No. 2, pp. 36-37.)
Our country, during this political season, seems to be turning upside down as we listen to all the negatives about the various people running for office. Everyday seems to produce more negative ads as we watch opponents slander each other. It can sometimes be exhausting as we try to sort out fact from fiction. We understandably grow tired of all the negativism and would love to hear constructively something positive that can be done for the good of all.
Jesus, our God, calls to see the good in people and not dwell only on the bad. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, our pluses and our minuses. We are not perfect, and we need to recognize that. We need to learn to be accepting of all people, no matter where their life’s journey takes them.
It is not easy to do, as we bring our own baggage into the relationship we enter with those around us. But Jesus is our example. Jesus always managed to see the good in the people; he was sent to serve. He loved folks unconditionally and did not engage in slander or gossip. And we are called to do the same. So let’s all challenge ourselves not to get caught up in all the negativity and learn to see the good in all people. We have a God who loves us and accepts us in our strengths and in our weaknesses. May we all strive to do the same in our daily lives.
God bless you!
Rev. Chris Hill, senior pastor
Evangelical United Church of Christ
This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Devotional: Jesus did not engage in slander or gossip."