A Fresh Perspective - 01/25/08
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. so lived Jesus' ethic of non-violence that it became a social force. His courageous confrontation of evil with the power of love became the catalyst of a movement that attempted to overcome evil with good. He understood that in a democratic society nonviolent resistance was the most potent weapon an oppressed people could use in their quest for justice. But there were other, even more noble motivations that propelled Dr. King to the forefront as the primary inspiration for civil rights activists.
He understood that hate not only wrecks havoc on its victims, but it is equally as injurious and damaging to the one who hates. According to King it is like an unchecked cancer that corrodes the personality and eats away at the soul. It not only confuses that which is beautiful and ugly, it makes the one who indulges it ugly. It scars the soul.
King, also recognized that a strategy of resisting evil by refusing to cooperate with evil, that standing one's ground in loving non-cooperation might possibly bring about a sense of shame in the opponent and break the cycle of violence. Meeting hate with hate only intensifies it. He believed that "love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." He taught his followers that their aim was not to get rid of the enemy, but the enmity that empowered the enemy. Their aim was not to humiliate the offenders, but to win their friendship and understanding.
After a demonstration in 1962, King asked his most adamant supporters to make a commitment to: (1) meditate daily on the life and teachings of Jesus; (2) walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love; (3) pray daily to be used by God so that all people might be free; and (4) refrain from all violence of fist, tongue and heart.
King taught that all non-violent resistance must be directed against evil itself, not the person who commits the evil. His strategy demanded a commitment to accept suffering without retaliation. In this he called his supporters to follow the way of Christ.
In John's Gospel Jesus is identified as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The primary sin that Jesus bore on the cross was the hate and animosity of his tormentors. The early Christians understood this to be representative of the sin/hate of the world. Jesus takes away the sin (hate and evil) of the world by absorbing it in non-resistance and forgiveness.
When Jesus calls his followers to take up their cross and follow him, this is the single most important application of the call to discipleship - bearing the hate of others. If Jesus bore the hate of the world, then his followers must be prepared to bear it also. Dr. King was not only a mover and shaker in the fight against injustice; his life continues to inspire and serve as a poignant expression of authentic discipleship to Christ.
Chuck Queen is Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Frankfort (CBF affiliated). You can access his sermons and past articles at www.ibcfrankfort.com. He welcomes your comments at cqueen@fewpb.net