Some weeks back, I was sitting in my office working when I heard people shouting “thief, thief” from a distance. I decided to check out what was happening and as I was just about coming out of the office, I saw a young man running so fast and then, so many people were running after him still shouting thief even as they were already closing in on him. They were all determined to get hold of him no matter what it takes.
For the young man, it was a race of survivor since he already knew what the outcome will be if he is caught. He knew jungle justice will take it's due course as that has been the case of so many other thieves before him that have been caught. Trust me, I had to follow them to see the outcome of things hoping that someone would come to his rescue and prevent him from being burnt alive because that has been the practice, so I heard.
This young man ran very fast and used everything he could lay hold on to protect himself from the angry mob but all his effort became futile since he is human and he definitely will get tired at a point. Unfortunately for him, he was caught. He pleaded for mercy but no one was willing to hear him out.
So many people gathered round to beat the hell out of him. As if the beating was not enough, they decided to burn him instantly instead of taking him to the authorities as that has always been their practice. They feel jungle justice is always the best way to deal with these kind of issues.
Despite the high cost of petrol in the country, they were willing to use their expensive petrol to burn the so called criminal alive and before we knew what was happening, he was already on fire.
To be honest, I felt so much for him but what could I have done? Several persons came around to plead on his behalf but no one was willing to listen. They were all hell-bent on giving the criminal justice in form of jungle justice.
What about jungle justice?
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Any form of justice that happens when an individual or group of people take the law into their own hands to punish someone they believe must have committed a crime without the knowledge of the authority and without following due process is what we call Jungle justice and such form of justice involves violence, torture and most times it leads to serious harm or death of the person being punished.
But is that the right way to give justice? Do these people carrying out these barbaric acts have conscience? Burning someone alive is an inhumane act and shouldn't be mentioned among us no matter what the person might have done.
I saw someone burn to ashes and I couldn’t do anything to save him. I will sure never forget this moment for a very long time. I thought these things only happen in the movies even though I have been hearing things about it before but this time around, to my greatest surprise it happened right before me.
I asked those around why they chose such method of punishment for criminals instead of taking these criminals to the authorities. They told me that they do not trust the legal system because it is ineffective, corrupt and bias and so, it won't be able to deliver justice accordingly.
They believe that even if these criminals get justice in the legal way, they end up getting out after sometime and they continue their criminal act and that the only way to end this once and for all is to perform jungle justice on them. But is this really what God wants it? Is this really how God wants it?
Let’s go back to the bible and learn from the awe-inspiring life of Rahab. She was a woman whose story reveals the boundless mercy of God and the transformative power of faith. Her story which is found in the Book of Joshua, is a proof that no one is beyond redemption and that everyone deserves a second chance. What if this young man was given a second chance? What if they harkened to his plea and forgave him? Rahab had a second chance and she became someone great. What if this young man was to become someone great?
The story of Rahab is a reminder that God can take the most seemingly unworthy person among us and transform them into vessels of His love and grace no matter who the person is or what the person might have done. Rahab’s life demonstrates the beauty of redemption, and the inclusivity of God's mercy.
As we read this today, let us carry with us the hope that no matter how dark the past or present of anyone may be, the scarlet cord of God's redemption is within their reach. Like Rahab, they may embrace their new identity in Christ, leaving behind the shadows of their past and stepping boldly into the radiant light of God's love and purpose to become someone great in the future.
May this write up be etched in our hearts, inspiring us to seek God's forgiveness, extend compassion to others, and embrace faith’s transformative power. Let us always remember that in God's eyes, no life is beyond redemption, and may we all find hope and salvation through God’s grace, Amen.
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