You’re Right
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3 KJV
They are two of my favorite words. They are: “You’re right.” Ok, it might technically be three words. It doesn’t even have to be anything big, I just like hearing them. This is especially true when I hear them from my wife. A simple, satisfying conversation might go like this:
My wife: What was yesterday?
Me: Sunday.
My Wife: You’re right.
Me: What?
My Wife: You’re right.
Me: What?
My Wife: You’re…. (and she stops, because she knows what I’m doing)
Me: No matter how many times I hear it, I never get tired of hearing it.
Conversely, the worst two words in the English language are: “You’re wrong.” Don’t make me pull out my official How to Count Words manual. Those two dreaded words can ruin a whole day. They have the ability to make us argue about the silliest things. Who really cares if it is lavender or purple? We don’t like to be wrong.
Old King George took a special notice of those pesky, vocal rebels in Boston. It seems like every time he wanted to raise revenue, they would form a mob. Tiring of their antics he decided to send more ships and more soldiers. Some of these lower ranking soldiers weren’t paid very well. For these, they took to the streets of Boston looking for odd jobs to supplement their income. Apparently, one of these soldiers, Private Patrick Walker, was asked by a rope maker, William Green, if he was looking for work. Excited, Walker said, “of course.” Green then said, “Then go clean my outhouse.” Actually Green used a different term and since this is a family rated blog I just chose to substitute “outhouse.” Insulted, Walker left and returned a short time later with some of his buddies. Green and his buddies whipped the soldiers in the fight.
A few days later there was another incident. A wig-maker’s apprentice baited another soldier, who struck him with his rifle. A crowd gathered. The crowd taunted the soldier and threw things at him. Mockingly, they challenged him with calls to “fire” his weapon, so they could really go after him. He retreated and called for reinforcements. Captain Thomas Preston arrived with a few of his fellow soldiers from the 29th Regiment. Soon a huge crowd surrounded the soldiers. Preston ordered his men to form a circle and raise their rifles. The crowd shouted, “Fire!” One of the soldiers mistook their taunts as an order from Captain Preston and he fired at the crowd. Eventually, about five colonists would die from their wounds. Preston and his men were rounded up and sent to jail to stand trial for murder.
Sometimes standing up to a powerful figure or a crowd is a hard thing to do. Being right, no matter the facts, is the most important thing to them. Being wrong is not an option for them.
Jesus’s death didn’t stop the persecution of those who believed in Him. But the powerful had the upper hand and they tried to put an end to this rebel group. But the peaceful followers continued to preach His message despite the threats. Stephen was such a man.
Stephen had to be made an example. Being “right” in the process was much more important than working through the process that might prove them wrong. So they captured him and organized his execution. The choice was death by stoning. As they gathered around to perform the execution, they handed their coats to a young, impressible, zealous lad. I guess this was so it was easier to throw the stones. And then Stephen looked to heaven and a peace came over him. Then the rocks were hurled at him. Such was the story of the church’s first Christian martyr. The question was: Who was there to defend Stephen?
When the funeral procession was held for the “victims” of the British shootings, I’m sure he was in the crowd. He had strong, negative views on the British rule over the colonies. But he was a lawyer by trade and he knew right and wrong. He decided to defend the British soldiers at their trial. The trial’s longevity shattered the record for any trial so far in the Massachusetts colony. It lasted five days. He was victorious and the soldiers were set free with basically a slap on the hands.
One day, our former coat carrying lad, would be walking down the road as a zealous man even more eager to rid the world of those pesky Christians. He was probably headed to his next round up. A streak of light would flash across the sky. “Saul, what’s wrong?” would probably be the shouts of those with him. “I can’t see! I can’t see!” he would shout back. But in this case, the lawyer would become the judge and he was quick to render his verdict. The blinding light and a voice thundering his disappointment would judge him. Yes, this defender sentenced him to blindness. Several days later a man would come and cure his blindness. Paul, his new name, would never be the same. Stephen’s great defender would now claim the church’s biggest convert.
John Adams is not one of those “fun” presidents. Very few people would think highly of him. He also had his bouts with pouting about this unpopularity. But one thing about John Adams, he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right, no matter how unpopular that might be. He even defended the enemy, watched by a crowd of his “friends,” in the popular rebellion we call the Boston Massacre.
Prayer: Father, Hearing the words “you’re right” is such sweet music. But sometimes, with my pride, that is all I’m willing to hear. Please open my ears to those opportunities where I might improve. You know, those moments I might actually be wrong. Amen.
