At the risk of offending some who attended public school and enlighten others, there are three branches of government in the United States; Executive (President), Legislative (Congress), and Judicial (Supreme Court). As a journalism student at Ohio State University, we were often told of the fourth branch of government.

It is an unofficial branch, called the Fourth Estate. One of the first uses of the term is attributed to Edmund Burke, the Irish Statesman, who used it in a parliamentary debate in 1787 when he referenced the three estates of parliament, then pointed to the press gallery as the fourth estate that was to hold the other three accountable to the public. As journalism students, we were constantly reminded that we were to stand in the breech with the people to hold government accountable.

This is a stark contrast to the role of the media as described by the U.S. “president” at his last White House Correspondents Dinner. After telling some great jokes, and he was very funny, the “president” struck a serious tone and said of the media: ”

But we’ve always shared the same goal — to root our public discourse in the truth; to open the doors of this democracy; to do whatever we can to make our country and our world more free and more just. And I’ve always appreciated the role that you have all played as equal partners in reaching these goals.

The “president” describes a free press as one that has the same goals as the White House—his administration in particular. This is not a free press.

Trouble is, the Fourth Estate has largely, through years of Communistic and Socialistic brainwashing, has become the lapdog of Leftists, Marxists, Islamists, and anarchists. The press, rather than doing its job of reporting the facts, has become a distinct editorial machine where truth is in the eyes of the beholder.

How else can the government—the White House, break, not enforce or establish new laws with impunity? The answer is found in the “president’s” closing remarks: “So I want to close my final White House Correspondents Dinner by just saying, thank you. I’m very proud of what you’ve done. It has been an honor and a privilege to work side by side with you to strengthen our democracy.”

One of the greatest insults to a true journalist is to have a public figure say that it has been an honor to work side by side together. It is the very perception of collusion that, in my early days as an investigative reporter, would have been the death nail in keeping my job.

Yet, today, this cozy relationship is applauded. Truth, as the “president” presents  it, is his truth, and he is thanking the media for standing for it. When the Fourth Estate abrogates its responsibility and aligns itself with a political ideal, Isaiah 59:14 comes to mind:

“And justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”

It is now the job of you and me—the people, to become the Fourth Estate.

Have a blessed and powerful day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Many Christians celebrated Easter (Resurrection Sunday) a few weeks ago. Today, however, begins Passover. Passover is a Jewish tradition commemorating how God led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.

Christians often overlook Passover, not understanding that it is most holy and prophetic. The Israelites painted the blood of an unblemished, sacrificial lamb on their doorposts for the plague of death of the firstborn to Passover them.

This is the picture of Christ, the unblemished lamb, who died on the cross for our sins. Our church family and friends celebrate the beginning of Passover with a traditional Passover Seder, a feast retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt and foretelling the Messiah’s sacrifice, return, and reign.

What Christians call the Lord’s Supper, is actually a Passover Seder. Jesus said in Luke 22:15-16:

“I have desired to eat this Passover with your before I suffer: For I way unto you, I will not anymore eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

The Seder Plate is comprised of salt water, parsley, a lamb shank bone, chopped apples and nuts, horseradish root, bitter herb and a roasted egg-each element symbolizing a part of the redemption story of being delivered from Egyptian bondage.

There are four symbolic cups of wine from which participants drink. The first is the Cup of Sanctification, the second is the Cup of the Plagues, the third is the Cup of Redemption, and the fourth is the Cup of Praise.

The Seder uses matzah, unleavened bread pierced with holes, in three pieces shared during the Seder. One piece is broken and then wrapped in cloth and hidden until the end and then is revealed and shared in communion. As Christ said:

“Take, eat; this is my body.” The cup of redemption symbolizes the blood of the Passover lamb. It was the cup taken after the meal. When Jesus took the cup of Redemption, He said in Matthew 26:27-29:

“Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom”

As you can see, the Passover has several layers. God brought the Israelites out of Egypt by demonstrating to them that the blood of the Lamb saves them. He instituted a service (Passover Seder), that the Israelites were to keep forever.

Exodus 12:27 says, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.”

Through the Passover, God delivered the Israelites from bondage, foretold of the suffering Messiah, the redemption of sins, and the kingdom to come. When we, as Christ followers take part in Passover, we are participating in the prophetic redemption and return of Christ.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com