Hot Potato: A Game of Avoidance

As kids, we played hot potato, frantically tossing a ball to avoid being caught when the music stopped. Whoever held it was out. We even played a version before baseball games, laughing as we dodged the “hot” ball. These games, though playful, echo a deeper human instinct: passing on what we don’t want to hold—whether a ball or blame. For centuries, such games have hinted at our reluctance to take responsibility, a tendency far from innocent.

The Buck Stops Here: A Symbol of Duty

President Harry S. Truman’s desk bore a sign: “The Buck Stops Here.” It meant he’d shoulder the nation’s burdens. The phrase came from the Wild West, where poker players passed a buckhorn-handled knife to mark the dealer. The “buck” stopped with whoever held it, a clear signal of accountability. Truman embraced this, vowing not to dodge the weight of leadership. His resolve stands in stark contrast to a world quick to shift blame.

Blame’s New Name: Passing the Buck

Today, “passing the buck” means evading responsibility, a far cry from poker tables or childhood games. It’s the politician pointing fingers, the leader sacrificing others to save face. A related phrase, “throwing someone under the bus,” emerged in British politics in the 1960s and 1970s. It’s as brutal as it sounds: betraying another to escape accountability. These terms reveal a troubling truth—too often, we choose self-preservation over integrity.

The First Buck: A Biblical Beginning

Where did this begin? I believe it traces to Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve, tempted by the serpent, defied God. When confronted, Adam blamed God for giving him Eve, then pointed at her. Eve blamed a serpent. Each passed the buck, yet all were guilty. This ancient story exposes our nature: we’re quick to deflect, slow to own our choices. It leaves us with a sobering question: if we’re all accountable, where does that leave us?

The Ultimate Buck Stopper: Redemption’s Answer

God, in His mercy, foresaw our failure. He provided a scapegoat, a sacrificial lamb—Jesus, the ultimate buck stopper. This Easter, we celebrate the One who took our blame, who was thrown under the bus for humanity’s sin. Like a player catching the hot potato when the music stops, He bore our guilt so we wouldn’t have to. Jesus doesn’t just take responsibility; He offers refuge to all who humbly seek Him. In a world of finger-pointing, He stands as the leader who says, “The buck stops with me.”

A Call to Courage

We all play hot potato with responsibility, passing the buck to avoid the weight of our choices. Yet Jesus shows us another way. His sacrifice challenges us to own our actions, to step up rather than step aside. This Easter, let’s move beyond games of blame and embrace the grace that stops the buck—and changes everything