This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’ – Zechariah 7:9

Today’s Scripture Reading (June 22, 2014): Zechariah 7

Roger Godberd was a farmer who became an outlaw during the 13^th Century. The turning point for Godberd seemed to have come in 1265 during the Battle of Evesham. The battle was part of the Second Baron’s War, a civil war in England between the Royalty and the Barons. The cause of the war was a constitutional crisis that occurred under King Henry III’s leadership. The reason for the crisis was what the Barons considered to be the King’s greed and his unreasonable demands for extra finances (which meant higher taxes for the people.) All of this was made even worse by a widespread famine. And all of this was laid at the feet of the King.

So Godberd decided to fight on the side of the Baron’s, and in the end it was the monarchy that won the day. So those who had supported the Barons had all of their lands removed from their possession following the royal victory. And it is at this point that Godberd apparently became an outlaw. He hid in Sherwood Forest robbing from the rich (all there is no evidence that he gave back to the poor. It is probably his backing of the Barons against the king that made gave him a reputation as a man of justice.) However, Godberg is one of the possible origins for the legend of Robin Hood.

Zechariah writes that our purpose as followers of God is to administer true justice – not justice when it is convenient. And often, to be people of justice will cost us something.  The myth of Robin Hood is actually not a bad model for what God expects of us. We are to be the resting place of Justice, we are the ones that oppose the injustice of the world whenever we come into contact with it. And we are the ones who are supposed to react to the situations of the world with true compassion. This is expected of us.

But it is often too easy to just accept the status quo than to have to chase after justice - too easy to rest in complacence than to exercise compassion. But faith was not supposed to be easy. And sometimes we need to stand up against greed, even if it costs us everything that we have.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Zechariah 8