My Father, Let This Cup Pass From Me…
Image credit: JESUS MAFA. Christ on Gethsemane, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48391 [retrieved May 29, 2020].
Last year, I was asked to give a sermon for our youth ministry on the topic of MLK because it was January, and as Americans, we pretend to acknowledge MLK’s contribution to Civil Rights even though our country hasn’t changed (but I digress). As I prepared and researched for my sermon, I stumbled upon a video created by a man named Jonathan Sandburg. He read a story written by MLK Jr., who found himself deeply discouraged by his calling one night and prayed to God for answers. Although I deeply resonate with the whole story, this week, these lines in his prayer really speak to me:
“Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”
As I reflect on this prayer, I find myself feeling angry at how many black and brown people have had to pray some version of these words as a result of white supremacy. My heart is broken, especially for those who, like Martin, continuously have to place themselves at the center of this battle because white people continue to choose comfort over action.
As I’ve watched COVID, police brutality, and the Karens of this world intentionally target black bodies, I could not help but feel like maybe God has abandoned us. Like maybe in my passion, I have been fighting for the wrong things when my faith was mainly intended for the growth and support of white supremacy. I know these thoughts aren’t true, but sin and evil have a way of making you question all things. At several moments wrestling with these thoughts even had me considering walking away from my faith and calling altogether....
As I continued to ponder my exit, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of Matthew 26:36-46 (NASB), when Jesus found himself at a crossroads in the Garden of Gethsemane…
For those who are unfamiliar with this story, before Jesus was crucified, he and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane, where Jesus’s grieve and distress about what was to come led him to pray. In verse 38, he says to his disciples, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” Then he says a series of prayers that seem to echo the very thoughts of Martin Luther King.
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (v. 39)
“My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (v. 42)
How did these verses speak about black pain and suffering?
BLACK PEOPLE, I know we are all tired of bearing the brunt of racism in this country, but God sees you, and he understands what it means to be lynched so that others can freely and wrongfully cling to the idols in their lives. I pray that, like Jesus and Martin, we can all take heart and continue to fight for what is right even until the end. I know it can feel like we are alone and forgotten by God, but Jesus’s death signifies that evil will not have the last word. Hebrews 4: 15-16 (MSG) reminds us of the following: “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
Here are some additional verses that you may find helpful:
WHITE PEOPLE (especially Christian ones), I know a lot of you "do not own slaves," "have black friends," and "aren't lynching people," but listen to me when I say that black (and brown) people are tired and need you to sip from Jesus's metaphorical cup of sacrifice. I know that taking such a step may be scary or uncomfortable for you, but white supremacy is demonic and will only continue to flourish if you are silent. I beg to take steps today to get involved in the work of antiracism. Please do not let your fear of saying or doing the wrong things stop you from addressing racism and preventing more senseless deaths. No one desires to see anymore violence or trending hashtags. To get started in this work, you can start by clicking on the following links:
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Video by Jonathan Sandberg and transcript of story and prayer attached below:
Martin Luther King Jr. wrote of a time when he was deeply discouraged and questioned continuing on in the cause of civil rights.
“Almost immediately after the [bus boycott] started we had begun to receive threatening telephone calls and letters. They increased as time went on....
One night, I couldn’t sleep. It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had heard these things before, but for some reason that night it got to me. I went to the kitchen and I sat there and thought about a beautiful little daughter who had just been born... I started thinking about a dedicated and loyal wife, who was over there asleep. And she could be taken from me, or I could be taken from her. And I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud: “Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”
It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: ‘Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.’
I tell you . . . I heard the voice of Jesus saying still to fight on. He promised never to leave me alone. At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced Him before. Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything.”