Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. (Ecclesiastes 3:16 ESV)
Everywhere
I generally do not like basketball. I just do not enjoy it. But at certain times of the year, basketball is unavoidable. Basketball is everywhere.
I generally do not like Kale. But sometimes it seems like it is everywhere, at every restaurant, in every recipe, and in every grocery store. At times, Kale is everywhere.
I generally do not like St. Patrick’s Day. But in March, everywhere I look is green, leprechauns, and four-leaf clovers. The celebration is everywhere.
But despite what it seems to me, not many things are actually everywhere.
But Sin is everywhere.
We expect to see Sin in greedy banks, raunchy rock concerts, Rated-R movies, and Washington DC. But the author of Ecclesiastes found Sin in unexpected places. He found Sin in places usually considered righteous.
I imagine he meant the courts of Israel, the King’s palace, and the temple.
It should not have surprised him.
Because Sin is everywhere. If we kind find a location, a people-group, an occupation, or even a hobby, that was not twisted, ruined, or tainted by Sin… that would be one part of creation, community, or locale that did not need Jesus’ atonement.
But everyone, and everything needs Jesus.
And He came to defeat Sin and Sin’s effects, everywhere.
It is prideful, inaccurate, and dangerous to ignore Sin.
But thankfully, as ‘everywhere’ as Sin is… Jesus’ atoning, redeeming, fixing work is more EverywherER!