If you watched the Oscars on Sunday you may have heard more than one joke about the slap from the 2022 Oscars.
If you have no clue what you are reading about, here is a quick recap, Chris Rock hosted the Oscars Ceremony in 2022. While hosting he made a joke about Jada Pickett Smith’s short hair. Will smith took offense to his joke as his wife’s short hair is due to a medical condition. His response was to go on stage and slap Chris Rock across the face.
One year later….and we are still talking about it.
Over the past year we have heard a few things from the three people involved.
A few days after the event Will Smith offered an apology and remarked that although he was upset about the comment he should not have used physical violence to express his feelings.
Chris Rock has only recently mentioned the event in a Netflix special using it as continued foder for laughs.
Jada Pickett Smith has stated on her show that she hopes the two comedians can find reconciliation.
The slap still has the whole world talking…many still talking about who was right and who was wrong. Few people are talking about forgiveness and reconciliation and moving past the event.
This situation like so many others makes us ask the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” or as a Christian what is my response? Is it different because of my faith? In our scripture this week we turn to the story of a woman caught in adultery. The punishment for such a crime for a woman was to be stoned. In the story the woman was ready to be stoned and Jesus intervened, challenging the crowd with this statement, “let those who have no sin cast the first stone.”
The response of the crowd was to drop their stones and walk away.
Jesus invited the crowd in an act of introspection which may lead to grace and forgiveness.
Possibly this is what the slap story needs…..a bit of introspection and forgiveness on all sides.
Throughout the year Chris Rock has been rightfully angry but at some point anger must look in and seek to find peace and reconciliation with a person who has hurt you.
Jesus in fact talks about an incident very similar.
In Matthew 5, Jesus speaks these words,
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
According to Jesus it is possible that Chris Rock should have turned and gave him the other check. Could you imagine the response of Will Smith and the crowd if that would have happened. Would it insight more anger? Would people understand what was happening?
At the end of the day it is hard to know exactly what Jesus would do in a situation.
Today pray for the people who have hurt you.
Today pray for forgiveness from the people you have hurt.
Today, maybe forgive someone.
Today, maybe ask for forgiveness.
Knowing that when we do these things a small piece of heaven is found here on earth.
See you on Sunday,
Pastor Audrey