Bolsanaro Sentenced

The Brazil Supreme Court has sentenced former president Jair Bolsanaro to more than 27 years in prison after his conviction on charges of attempted coup in 2022. The conviction and sentence were met with deeply divided sentiments both in Brazil and around the world. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed displeasure with the court’s actions, and Bolsanaro is expected to appeal before serving any portion of his sentence.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Governments of men—and their leaders—are fallible, and their reign will come and go (Dan. 2:21). All of them. This is a challenging truth to grasp when our preferred leaders are in power, but it is one that is essential for both flourishing and the preservation of our own sound thinking (2 Tim. 1:7).

There is also a universal human instinct to desperately cling to power. As Jesus followers, we must be clear-eyed about the importance of not only resisting this inclination, but also the promise that we will often be out of step with—and even hated by—the world around us (Jn. 15:18-25). This is far from an acquiescence to defeat, and in fact is a liberating force on your ability to be rooted firmly in truth regardless of the political or cultural winds around you.

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Dan 2:21).

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.