The Glove
The actor stands center stage facing stage right a with tight spotlight. A tan fleck 1950s suitcase is placed on the stage next to him. A black stool stands in front of him. He is motionless. Then with a single movement he picks up the suitcase and places it on the stool. He hesitates slightly, then he clicks the latches of the suitcase which then abruptly opens.
The actor gazes into the suitcase and slowly moves his hand into the case. He then slowly and carefully pulls out a silver sequined item. He then turns to the audience, smiling mischievously. As the cloth falls opens and he says, “The Glove”. The silent crowd bursts into applause and cheering. They know what this glove represents.
It was August 29, 1958 when he was born into a large family in Gary Indiana. From these humble beginning, he went one to be duped the “King of Pop”. His father who he called Joseph was relentless and was driven to ensure the success of his son. And successful he was. He won 13 Grammy Awards and a tremendous number of other awards. Even so, eventually he was accused of crimes to which no one would want to be associated with as a perpetrator. He died too young and the world mourned.
In a conversation after seeing MJ the Musical, one person wondered, ought he be revered and honored considering all the accusations that had been made? He was a troubled man with a medical drug addiction. Despite or because of this are we given permission by society to recognize him for the good he did in the world? Or are we only to look at the accusations?
I could not answer.
As I continued to ponder this question, I began to hope that when I die and even in this life, I am known for the good I have done, the faith that I have had, and my relationship with Jesus Christ. The things for which I have been forgiven, I hope will be cast as far as the east is from the west by those I leave behind as this is what Jesus promises He has done with my forgiven sins.
Knowing that the Bible has much to say about judgment, it is an excellent source of criteria for judging others. In Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) Jesus tells us in His Sermon on the Mount, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
He puts this in practice when the woman accused of adultery is brought to Him and the religious leaders tried to trap him. They wanted to stone her for her sin, but when the accusers were challenged by Jesus to cast the first stone if they were without sin they all dropped their stones and walked away. We then read Jesus’ response to the woman, “And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’” John 8:11b
When I want to get angry and judge, I am assured this is not my role in life. We read in Deuteronomy 32:35a the Lord saying, “‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip;’” Jesus forgives and expects us to do the same. It is God’s choice to become angry and punish, not mine.
What a relief this is!
I can put aside judgement and anger knowing that seeing the good in others is what I am called to do. When faced with considerations such as remembering Micheal Jackson’s achievements or friend who has served the sentence after committing a crime, or neighbor with an addiction who’s now healing, passing on the love of Jesus is the call to all Christ followers leaving the judgement of others to God.
JW