Pitchforks or Prayer - One Has Got to Go...

11-16-2021

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command...

John 15:9-13 (NLT)

It has become a rallying cry among Americans that should not be. It has even been heard on the lips of those professing to love Jesus and follow him. It is something that is said proudly, loudly and with jovial anger (if there is such a thing).

“Let’s go, Brandon!”

Unless you have not been watching TV or listening to the radio, or just staying off of social media - you have undoubtedly heard this phrase over the last few weeks.

The chant “Let’s go, Brandon” started by accident at a NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

While interviewing race winner Brandon Brown, NBC reporter Kelli Stavast misinterpreted (willingly or not is up to debate) chants of “F*** Joe Biden” as “Let’s go, Brandon”.

The “F*** Joe Biden” chants have become a popular slogan chanted at sporting events, concerts, and political rallies. But, to make it more family-friendly (AKA - so we are not cussing in front of our children) people are now simply screaming, “Let’s go, Brandon!”

Yet, nothing could have prepared us for what has happened at different houses of worship recently. Mark Burns, a “pastor” and GOP candidate for Congress, spoke at a ReAwaken America rally Friday, which was being held at John Hagee’s church in San Antonio, Texas. There, he riled up the crowd as it chanted “Let’s go, Brandon.” Yes, in a church. With a guest “pastor” leading. Thank God it was not a worship service...

The ReAwaken America event was organized and hosted by Clay Clark who has been gathering people together in churches around the country this year. Friday’s event wasn’t the first time Burns had encouraged the “Let’s go, Brandon” chant.

In October, he spoke at pastor Greg Locke’s church in Tennessee where he played to the crowd as it chanted the phrase. In the wake of that event, Locke (who was actually there) chastised his congregation AFTERWARDS for chanting the phrase in his church, saying that while he completely agrees with the sentiment, chanting something like that in church is “an embarrassment to the body” of Christ.

Might we say, it’s an embarrassment to the Body of Christ that he agrees with the sentiment.

Nowhere - we repeat - nowhere in the Holy Scriptures (where we affirm: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” - II Timothy 3:16) does God allow for his people to speak derogatively against another. As a matter of fact, Jesus said: “‘But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be subject to the fire of Gehenna." (Matthew 5:22)

If my people...who are called by My Name...humble themselves…and pray...

In relation to what is occurring within our country - and all over the globe - God’s question is not, “Are you railing and screaming against people and things you don’t like?” Rather, it is, “Are you reading the signs of your time as signs asking you to repent and be converted?” What really counts is our willingness to let the immense sufferings of our brothers and sisters free us from all arrogance and from all judgments and condemnations and give us a heart as gentle and humble as the heart of Jesus. (Henri Nouwen)

A heart as gentle and humble as the heart of Jesus. That’s what we should all be striving for. Yearning for. Working towards. In a culture screaming “Let’s go, Brandon!” we should be the complete opposite - “Let’s pray for one another!” As Paul urges anyone who follows Jesus: “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone - for kings and all those in authority - so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…” - I Timothy 2:1-3.

Now, if you will excuse us, we need to remember to love as Jesus has loved us and go pray for you. Will you pray for us?

Missy and Steve