There is a carnival...
Illustration
There is a carnival atmosphere to the celebration of the new creation. In May of this year, James Brown, "the Godfather of Soul," was granted a pardon by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services in Columbia, South Carolina. Brown first served a two and one-half year prison term after being convicted of drug and assault charges in 1988. He was later convicted of a drug-related offense in 1998. As he appeared before the board to make his appeal, he was deeply moved by their decision to pardon him and broke into song with a rendering of God Bless America.
When asked to comment he stated, "God bless America on this beautiful day. I hope my pardon shows the youth of America that America is a beautiful country." He then followed by singing one of his trademark lyrics -- "I feel good!"
Zephaniah 3:14-20
The landscape of Baghdad is haunted by the earless, the handless, the tongueless, the widowed and the orphaned, people who were punished for some "crime" during the 24 years of Saddam Hussein's tyranny in Iraq. Imagine being punished in such fashion for turning Saddam's picture to the wall in your own bedroom, or for saying something critical of his rule. Saddam intimidated the people of Iraq with threats of punishment for the smallest infraction and had a vast corps of informers -- from children to party officials -- whom he kept in check with meager financial and job incentives as well as the constant threat of physical injury. He even punished faithful followers with torture and disfigurement and then sent them home as reminders to everyone of his certain retribution. Surviving under such pressures and horrors required massive psychological adaptation. People became deadened, deeply passive. They exhibit "learned helplessness." If the trauma remains untouched, with time it may produce equal or worse mental disorders than torture.
In our text the Lord, through the prophet, encourages the city of Jerusalem to rejoice, for he has rescued her from her enemies. He encourages us to rejoice in our salvation from sin, death, and the devil, which he has accomplished through his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
