The Welcome to my World Challenge theme is “what is one thought I would like to share in regard to Easter?” I have chosen the theme of Scapegoating and building resilience.
As each generation of scapegoats takes their burden of injustice out into the world, the world becomes a more hostile place as the injustices heap up one upon the other.
What options does the ‘scapegoat’ have? If we look at the original scapegoat, he may have been torn apart by wild animals, or he may have been resilient and learned how to survive in the hostile wilderness. Those excluded from the ‘power’ group may decide to fight back; this causes conflict or terrorism as they may be few against many. Others may look for greener pastures and safety elsewhere. Taking themselves out of the danger zone, only to find themselves ‘scapegoated’ again as ‘immigrants.’ They could just kowtow to the ‘party line, give up their fight for justice and accept the status -quo, and become passive. Or they could build resilience, each time becoming stronger until they know they are being scapegoated and can call the perpetrators out.
This is where the Easter story comes into a full circle. The prophet Isaiah said, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed. 53:5-7 Amplified Bible.
Jesus of Nazareth was the ultimate scapegoat chosen by the people, who did know that this was precisely God’s plan and purpose for their redemption. Jesus was the innocent victim, showing up the violent and hateful tendencies of humanity. His words from the Cross ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do,” show us the pathway to healing. His Resurrection on the third day broke the power of the cycle of abuse and completed the atonement.
How can we live in His victory or build resilience in the violent culture around us? How do we call out those in power to deal with unjust policies? It all starts in the Father’s heart to forgive, as Jesus forgave, by His wounds we are healed. As individuals build resilience and heal, we bring healing into the world with us instead of carrying the guilt and shame of those who chose us as their’ scapegoat.’ If we continue to take our hurt into the world, we keep repeating the cycle that the Israelites did, every year having to keep on sending a ‘scapegoat’ back into the wilderness. But Christ died once and for all as the atonement for mankind. May we learn to live in His Resurrection power.
Have you ever been ‘scapegoated’? If you want to share your story with me, please comment below or send an email in the Contact Page
Read the previous blogs on Generational Trauma as well for more insight
Oh yes, Deryn. I think we have probably all been ‘scapegoated’ (is that a word?) at some point or another. Thank you for the reminder that Jesus was the ultimate scapegoat when He took our sins upon His shoulders on the cross.
Thank you for this post? It’s true what you say about forgiveness. Being quick to forgive and letting go of offence will free you from being a victim when treated as the scapegoat. We are victorious with Christ
Thank you Madeleine
Yes, taking the victory of the Cross into those shadow areas where we have to choose to forgive is mirroring what Christ did for us.
Thank you Deryn for the reminder that Jesus was the chosen scapegoat – chosen by God to take the punishment for my sins. Hallelujah what a Saviour!
Yes, Rob He was indeed, Hallelujah what a Savior!
Thanks for this clarifying fact. Before reading, I hadn’t related the term scapegoat to the Bible and Jesus.
That is interesting! It certainly helps me in understanding what Jesus did in taking our sins upon himself!