The Accusation That Traveled Only One Way

And it came to pass that an accusation was passed among the people. It was whispered privately; often enough to grow legs and run. And when challenged openly the accusation clothed itself in parable and stepped into the public.

The man had frequently taught through scripture and opened the understanding of the congregation through his written word and friendly conversation. He was often invited to expound to the people when gathered. But the man hadn’t shared his scriptural insight in quite awhile. Thus, his recorded words— newly published —generated excitement among the congregation.  They could not recall that he had ever addressed them this way before.  But they discerned that the accusation was now clothed in scripture; spoken by the man they had loved and admired. He—saying it was carried by concern for righteousness.

The one over whom the accusation cast its shadow did not speak publicly. He did not publish his thoughts; he did not teach to crowds; he did not answer through articles or recordings. He had no platform from which to reply. And it was known among the people that this man possessed very little. He did not gather funds; he did not invite donations for his own support; he did not oversee accounts. He moved from place to place, quietly carrying his needs with him.

Meanwhile, the man upon whose lips now carried the accusation into public light spoke often. He sat in the chief seats before the people; he placed himself at the podium; he was heard and recognized. From the upper room he spoke and support followed. 

Yet it was not he who bore the charges. The accusation instead flowed downward.

It traveled from the one with voice to the other with out. From the one with means to the other with out. From the one who could explain himself publicly to the other who answered privately, only when asked. This troubled some among the people.

For scripture had taught them that priestcraft exalts the teacher above the hearer, and places the burden upon those who are taught. Yet here, the burden fell not upon the one receiving support, but upon the other already stripped of it.

The one with resources warned against corruption. The other without purse or scrip was named as its example. The one who lived in luxury cautioned against misuse. The other, homeless, bore the suspicion.

And the accusation did not diminish.

It did not climb upward for examination; it did not test those with authority; it did not weigh the conduct of those with influence.

It flowed downhill like dirty water over rocks.

And the people began to notice that accusations which travel only one way do not purity the people, but contaminate with confusion. They do not refine the community; they render it uncertain.

For when the powerful speak of danger, and the powerless are named as its wellspring, the accusation itself becomes a tool—regardless of the professed sincerity with which it is spoken. 

And so the people were left to consider: priestcraft is known by who is elevated and who is diminished—yet this accusation was regarded by the target and not from whence it was launched.  Wisdom requires that trajectory be tested.

And the people began to perceive that the accusation had done a work—not by what it proved, but by whom it burdened.