My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

James 1:1a

If you were to visit Wikipedia and type in “Trial of the Century“, you’d likely be surprised what you would find.

There are no less than 30 different trials that folks have considered THE trial of the 20th Century: The Scopes Monkey trial, the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, the impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton, and of course, who could forget the O.J. Simpson trial?

Already in the 21st century, there are 17 trials listed. Those include trials for Slobodan Milosevic, Saddam Hussein, George Zimmerman, and now 2 different trials for former President Donald Trump (impeachment and vs. New York).

Every few years, a trial comes along that is considered “one for the ages”, and the world collectively looks on at the proceedings. I can’t imagine what that kind of scrutiny would be like. Can you?

Maybe we should.

After all, there are numerous places in the scriptures that talk about facing trials. Sometimes the trial is a test or a temptation. Other times it’s persecution for your words or actions in an actual court. Always, it’s a tough spot to find yourself in.

James even goes so far as to say we should consider it a “joy” to have to endure such a thing. As if! I can’t think of any examples of a defendant enjoying cross-examination or having their dirty laundry aired or having to defend their actions to a hostile court.

It’s one thing to imagine being on trial for all the BAD things you’ve done but consider being on trial because of all the GOOD. That’s really what James is talking about. He’s referring to what is sometimes called “the cost of discipleship”. Sometimes, standing up with faith means confronting the evil forces of wickedness that we might come up against.

Sound extreme? That is one of the actual questions we ask those who wish to join the church. We ask new members if they are willing to “renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of their sin” (UMC Book of Discipline). That’s hardcore! Keeping a vow like that could get you into some hot water along the way.

For me, I’d rather just skip out on going to court altogether. I’ve wormed my way out of every jury summons I’ve ever received. Still, I’d rather go on trial for being faithful to God than for being unfaithful. And maybe, just maybe, we’re called to steer ourselves directly into the path of wickedness, taking up the fight against what is unjust in the world.

Deliberately veering towards your own trial? It sounds absurd, but countless examples exist down through history. Certainly people have gone on trial for their terrible deeds, but many have faced the consequences of their faithfulness as well.

According to James, facing such a trial of your faith will bring you endurance. And that’s a good thing, because I imagine being on trial would take a lot out of you. What trials have you endured? What, to you, would be worth standing trial for?

If you’re looking for an example to follow, I wouldn’t recommend O.J. or Clinton or Trump.

Look no further than Jesus Christ, who endured his own spectacular trial. At first, it seemed wickedness would prevail, but God intervened,

and the verdict, much like the stone at the tomb…

was overturned.

Have a great week,

Mitch