January 6, 2021 // Storming of the U.S. Capitol

One year ago today, January 6, 2021 was the storming of the U.S. Capitol building.

After a morning of rallies and protests, a large crowd broke into the Capitol Building as Congress was physically counting the Electoral College ballots that would confirm the winner of the 2020 presidential election. [1] The violent attack forced the quick evacuation of the Vice President and members of Congress while staff members in the Capitol offices barricaded the doors against the angry crowd.

Later that evening and into the early hours of January 7th, after the Capitol had again made secure, the vote resumed that confirmed Joe Biden as the Electoral College winner.

In total, five people were killed and 140 Capitol Police were injured in the attack. [2]

One year later those that were at the Capitol that day are still trying to make sense of what they experienced. “Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, a 14-year veteran of the department, said that the police officers weren’t only the protectors of the Capitol on the day of the riot but were also among the victims.

‘As a victim, you want answers,’ Mr. Dunn said, speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the force. ‘You want closure. You want justice. And none of those things have happened yet.’[3]

Many Americans, although not physically present at the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, also feel victimized by seeing a mob interrupt and threaten the democratic process. And similar to Mr. Dunn, many want closure for events on that day.

However, closure does not seem to be in sight. One year later investigations are still ongoing, subpoenas are still being issued and arrests are still being made. One year later, little seems resolved. [4]

For those still deeply affected by the events of January 6th, 2021, how can rest be found In this unresolved and inconclusive space?

Into this space, and any unresolved space, Christians can see hope in Christ.

In the Gospels, there was a day that was the greatest unresolved space. It came on Saturday, the day after Christ was put to death on a cross. On Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, Christ followers “rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).

For those who had walked with Jesus, that Saturday was likely anything but restful. Saturday was likely a day full of great fear, despair, grief, anger and confusion. In that space of twenty-four hours, I imagine His disciples recalled Jesus’ words that He would rise again. They also likely remembered Jesus’ promise that, “‘I will not leave you as orphans’” (John 14:18). On Saturday, Christ disciples needed to exercise faith to recall, remember, and believe in Christ and in His word even though they did not see Him working.

And on Sunday, the third day, the disciples discovered an empty tomb! And the word spread that, “He has risen” (Mat. 26:6), and the resurrected Jesus came days and weeks to follow with many convincing proofs that He was alive and was ascending to the Father (Acts 1:3).

Christians have a hope for unresolved and inconclusive spaces, i.e. the Saturdays, in this life. In these spaces, Christ invites us to recall, remember and believe in Christ and in His Word until we see Him working.

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Footnotes:

History is His Story

January 6, 2021 // Storming of the U.S. Capitol

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