Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder
July 8, 2024
This Week's Anchor
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
Another week, another onslaught of conversations, social media posts, and news stories illuminating the plethora of social issues plaguing our nation and the entire world. With the recent presidential debate, the ever-evolving dialogues around American politics, and the ongoing wars and violence targeting specific racial, ethnic, and cultural communities across the globe, many of us find ourselves in the position of wondering where we fit within our political landscape and the movement for human rights. In moments like this, I think about the best model of advocacy...Jesus. Thankfully, we can learn a lot from Him as we navigate the never-ending sociopolitical challenges of our present day.
This week's anchor scripture calls us to “speak up” for those in need and whose rights have been taken. We are called to this truth because our spiritual foundations are based in this depth of integrity—God is a loving, gracious, merciful, and just God (Deuteronomy 32:4). However, in our conversations about justice, we sometimes forget the radical activist and leader that Jesus was when He physically walked the earth, and the example He sets for advocacy that is still relevant now. Looking back on the earthly life of Jesus, He was very different than the quiet and tame idealist we often imagine Him to be. From openly denouncing Pharisees (Matthew 23; Mark 12; Luke 11, 20) to overturning temples (Matthew 21; Mark 11) to confronting the social structures of His time (Mark 2, 12, 14), Jesus consistently demonstrated a passion for righteousness and justice. As one writer states, “Jesus is already revolutionary based on the company that he kept. He was friends by lepers and prostitutes. He became the face of liberation for marginalized groups and became an enemy of the state by preaching and teaching everyone to stand for truth and justice. He brought hope for everyone by bringing them in under God at the same time” (Yu, 2015).
No matter what side of the debates and campaigns we support, we all could use the reminder of Christ in our efforts to empower equity for all. In reflecting on the life of Jesus, we are compelled by His approach to justice and advocacy:
He led with compassion
Jesus cared for the outcast and consistently showed great understanding, compassion, and patience (Matthew 8:26, 9:36; Luke 23:34; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus persistently sacrificed and intervened, both physically and spiritually, for those in need (Matthew 8, 14, 15, 20; John 8)
Jesus saw others as God saw them—created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
He spent time with those He advocated for
How can one advocate for a person and/or community with whom they do not know or understand? As the relational being He was, Jesus spent quality and quantity of time with His followers and those in need to truly connect with them (even when others didn’t understand and despised it; Matthew 7 & 12; Mark 1, 2 & 5; Luke 19; John 4, 5 & 8…the list goes on)
He challenged leaders/authorities and the status quo
As shared above, Jesus actively denounced Pharisees and challenged others (Matthew 23; Mark 12; Luke 11, 20), overturned temples (Matthew 21; Mark 11), and confronted various social structures of His time (Mark 2, 12, 14).
Jesus consistently shared stories (parables) of wisdom—calling others to take progressive stances on how they viewed themselves, others, and the world (Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 7:1-5; Matthew 9:16-17; Matthew 13; Matthew 18)
He stayed centered on the greater Divine Purpose
For those of us rooted in the Word, fostering justice starts and continues with a relationship with the Holy Trinity and a foundation of prayer—Jesus remained connected to His relationship with God and a life of prayer and fasting (Hebrews 5:7; Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12)
Jesus knew the foundation of everything in life was of God’s will and not His own (Matt. 26:39) and remembered that the battle was beyond Him—not ours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15)
He knew that He did not come to be served, but instead to serve (Mark 10:45) and remained grounded in hope (Matt. 12:21)
It’s important that spiritual wisdom guides us as we agitate and advocate. It can be difficult to know what’s right sometimes, especially when it comes to polarizing political issues. Many of our present concerns aren’t specifically discussed in the Bible in our modern-day language and understanding, and even if they were, we can each read the same scripture and take away a different meaning and/or impact. Therefore, being in meaningful relationship with the Holy Trinity and personally connected to Divine wisdom is incredibly important. When we find ourselves confused about what, how, and for whom to advocate, we can connect with the compass of our God-led calling deep within our hearts.
With the plethora of scriptures cited in this devotion, the Word is certainly a strong foundation to guide us in finding our place in spiritually founded advocacy and activism. By answering our call to justice and embodying the true essence of Jesus we challenge injustice and can promote love, compassion, and equity all the same. As we enter this week, let us all consider the ways (big or small) that we might be Christ-like, not only in our individual spiritual walks but in fostering our collective good and welfare.
Reflection
What is resonating for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?
What is one way that you embody/can embody the radical essence of Jesus through activism/advocacy?
What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?
Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week
Psalm 82:3
Psalm 89: 14
Proverbs 22:8-12
Isaiah 1:17
Micah 6:8
Colossians 3:1-25
My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide
A Song of Inspiration
Quote of Love & Liberation
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change.
I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
Angela Davis
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