My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? — James 2:14
The room in this picture is from Dunnottar castle, a ruined medieval fortress on the northeastern shoreline of Scotland. It played a part in the miscellaneous struggles going on between England and Scotland, as well as internal religious wars. Regardless of the specific battle, things were violent, bloody, and cruel. For example, in 1685, 122 men and 45 women were thrown into this tiny room. According to a plaque in this vault, “Ankle deep in mire,” they were “held for 6 weeks with no sanitation, [and] both food and water had to be bought from the guards.” The survivors were put on a ship and exiled to the West Indies.
What baffles me is that both England and Scotland were considered “Christian” countries. Churches and cathedrals were and are everywhere. Yet they freely used their faith to justify war. And then they willfully ignored Jesus’ teachings as they tortured, imprisoned, and killed those they battled with.
Whenever we read history, or church history, the one lesson it teaches us is this: If you ever remotely consider following Jesus, you have to do so with integrity. Everything must be judged from his standards and priorities, not your own, or your church’s, or your nation’s. Anything less, and you masquerade as one of the Pharisees Jesus condemned so strongly.
I cringed reading the history of that room I was standing in. I also was reminded of the timeless lesson Jesus would have taught from within its walls. Love your enemies and pray for them. If you stick them in a tiny prison one day, don’t be a hypocrite and sing hymns on the following Sunday.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to a computer glitch, last Monday’s Meditation–“The Last Word Is Hope”–didn’t get sent out. Oh no! Here’s a link to it.