Would Jesus be a Ferguson protester?
I suppose it depends on what you mean by “Ferguson Protester.”
In case you do not live in the United States (or even if you do and have been living under a rock), let me summarize what happened. On August 9, 2014, a Ferguson police officer named Darren Wilson shot and killed a young man named Michael Brown. Since Michael was black and unarmed, and the police officer was white, many are saying that this killing was racially motivated and that officer Darren Wilson should be condemned for murder. Darren Wilson contends that he was being attacked by Michael Brown and shot him in self-defense.
Protests in Ferguson have been occurring nonstop since August, most of which have been non-violent. On Monday, November 24, however, the Grand Jury announced that Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for the shooting of Michael Brown. In response to this verdict, many in Ferguson, MO turned to further violence.
In the following post, I have tried to imagine what Jesus would say and do if He lived in Ferguson, Missouri.
My thoughts are below. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comment section.
1. Jesus is deeply saddened by the death of Michael Brown.
This is the beginning place. God does not desire the death of anyone, whether they are innocent or guilty, young or old, male or female, black or white. God does not have a favorite race, a favorite age, a favorite gender, a favorite political party, or even a favorite class of people. He loves sinners as much as He saints.
It makes no real difference to Jesus whether Michael Brown was guilty or not. Jesus loves Him and is terribly saddened by His death.
For this reason, Jesus would be found among the mourners of Ferguson, Missouri.
Jesus would be deeply saddened by everything that has happened in Ferguson. He would mourn with the friends and family of Michael Brown.
2. Jesus is opposed to brutality wherever it exists.
Many are decrying officer Wilson’s actions as another example of police brutality and the over-militarization of our domestic law enforcement. Jesus is opposed to brutality and violence wherever it is found, especially among those who exist to “serve and protect.”
And yet…
Regardless of the decision reached by the Grand Jury, Jesus is deeply saddened that violence resulted in the death of a young man, and Jesus is deeply saddened by the violence and brutality that has been carried about by those who do not like the decision of the Grand Jury. Jesus would not call upon the people of Ferguson to riot or engage in any sort of violence toward the police or toward other people in town.
One thing Jesus definitely would not do is to offer a $5000 reward for anyone who kills Officer Wilson and his family members. This sort of blatant criminal activity only pours gasoline on an already raging inferno, and Jesus would condemn such calls to brutal violence.
Instead, Jesus would invite the people of Ferguson to love and forgive, and maybe even to do the most shocking thing of all — to give that $5000 to Officer Wilson and his family. Can you imagine the worldwide news stir that this would create? Instead, all we get is news about escalating violence.
Even when reporters try to allow the looters to provide their perspective, they receive only violence in return. Here are two examples:
This looks nothing like Jesus.
Whether or not Officer Wilson truly is guilty of brutal violence, more brutality from the people of Ferguson is not what Jesus would support. He would call for love and forgiveness, as these are the only things that can heal this broken community.
3. Jesus hates racism in all its forms.
Related to violence is the issue of racism. Was the killing of Michael Brown racially motivated? Nobody really knows, except for Darren Wilson.
And again, maybe the Grand Jury will uncover some evidence which proves that Darren Wilson was racist, and if so, such actions and behavior can be rightly condemned by those who follow Jesus.
But again, just as Jesus would never call His followers to engage in brutal violence as a response to violence, so also, Jesus would never engage in any sort of racism as a response to real (or perceived) racism toward Him.
Jesus would not condone racist chants against white people (Warning: there is lots of profanity on that page). Racism is evil, whether it is white people hating black people, or black people hating white people.
Again, Jesus would call for forgiveness and love, not hatred and violence.
4. Jesus would point to the root of the problem.
Ultimately, if Jesus lived in Ferguson, Missouri and was taking part in the protests, He would point the root of the problem.
The root problem is not violence. The root problem is not even racism. It is definitely not the over-militarization of law enforcement in response to the militarization of gangs.
The real problem is scapegoating.
Scapegoating is done when we blame other people for our own problems. Scapegoating is when we believe that yet another death will atone for the evils of the past. Scapegoating is when we refuse to admit our own failures and sins, and instead blame others for the way our lives turn out or our actions unfold. Scapegoating is when we refuse to take responsibility for our decisions, and instead blame others for our behavior.
What Response in Ferguson Looks Like Jesus?
Jesus would invite the police to revisit their recruitment process and training procedures so that people of all backgrounds and races are treated fairly and justly.
Jesus would invite the people of Ferguson to forgive Officer Wilson, knowing that although the death of Michael Brown was wrong, nothing will bring Michael Brown back, and seeking the death of another person only amplifies the problem and perpetuates the violence.
Jesus would remind the people of Ferguson that death does not do away with injustice. Only forgiveness does that. That the proper response to racism is not hatred, but love.
Jesus would invite all the people in Ferguson, whether they are black or white, rich or poor, in power or without, that “other people” are not the problem. “We” are the problem. Each of us is responsible for our own actions. And while we cannot, should not, and must not force others to relinquish power, to be generous with their money, or to love and forgive in return, we can love as we want to be loved; we can forgive as we want to be forgiven; we can serve as we want to be served.
So would Jesus be a Ferguson protester? Yes, but He would also be protesting the protests. He would be a friend to the Brown family in their loss, and He would also be a friend to the Wilson family in their fear. He would call for racial reconciliation, for peace, for love, and for forgiveness.
This is the response that brings hope and healing. This is the response that looks most like Jesus.
Concluding Thoughts
In the end, I agree completely with what Alan Cross wrote yesterday about the Ferguson Protests:
I have seen quite a bit of vitriol, mocking, and derision directed their way today from white Christians in social media who have reposted racial jokes and memes and have condemned them heartily. I do abhor violence and destruction of property and am praying for peace and for those whose businesses were destroyed. It is wrong and it should not be happening and those breaking the law should be arrested and brought to justice. There is really no discussion on that point. But, not all who disagree with what was decided are violent or want to do destroy things. And, even worse, what has affected me today is the energy that some people have exhibited in making fun of the crowds and mocking them and saying that they would never be them.
Then, I saw a tweet from David Fitch, professor/writer, that referenced Mark 6:34 and it got me thinking. I turned to the parallel passage in Matthew and it says this:
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” (Matthew 9:35-38)
Christmas is the season that we celebrate the coming of Jesus, born as a baby in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. We call his birth the Incarnation because the Son of God came and put on flesh and made his dwelling among us. He came and lived among US. He taught and healed and told us about the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom invaded our own little kingdoms and he told us a better story – a True Story. He gave us life. He did not stand afar off from us in our sin or misery or destructive ways. He did not mock us or make fun of us or declare how stupid we were. He didn’t reject us. He became one of us and in so doing, saved us all – all who will come to Him.
WE were the crowd. Harassed and helpless. Sheep without a shepherd, not knowing where to turn, where to go, or what to do. So, we followed the loudest voices we could hear – the voices of our culture or our past or of temptations or seducing spirits or ourselves. We went after them looking for life and answers and we became harassed on every side. Helpless to do anything to save ourselves or change our situations. Some turning to violence. Some to pride. Some to greed and anger and some to judgment and condescension so they could establish themselves as better than others. But, Jesus came for us all. The privileged and the powerful, the poor and the angry. All of us, even those whose sins look more respectable than others.
Agree? Disagree? Share this post with others and weigh in with your own comments below!
The woman about to be stoned may be the obvious example but what the officer said reminded me of that; he said he operated according to training and the law and his conscience was clear. Those who were about to stone that woman were also about to do so according to their law with a free clear conscience.
In the latter scenario the Savior was there and they had the opportunity to challenge Him about the deed that they was about to do. In Ferguson and other places where similar acts of authority brutality has happened, would the accusers take the opportunity to challenge Jesus before they acted according to their law?
Is there a subliminal ‘law’ that dictates such a behavior, where a person’s death is sentenced and immediately carried out with a clear conscience? I believe so. I’ve seen at least two videos where police seem to go straight into arrest mode in such a way that the arrestee, however politely he stated his innocence and alibis and knowledge/adherence to his rights, was slowly set upon, manhandled and cuffed (and worse). It was like the police were robocops, programmed to stop crime whatever the cost, controlled by a greater force.
I believe if Jesus was physically there, and the police took the right choice to approach Him before the arrest (remember, in the story of the woman, the Jews only challenged Jesus because they thought they were right and their judgement was inevitable), He would challenge the ‘law’ which they were abiding by which sentenced a man to certain death. I say certain because there seems to be a die cast where the result is often a death without trial or the opportunity to have their day in court.
Would there be a ‘he that hath no sin’ moment? Probably not in the same way. It may have to heal in a ‘do unto others’ way where they would not like their loved ones to face the same judgement that they are meting out.
With the crowd the issue of continuously not having a voice before and afterwards is telling. Rioting is a sign of trashing one’s room or self harming when you feel you have no say or a valid way to correct a perceived wrong. But that is just a symptom that only damaged and doesn’t provide healing. The ever present hurt is the past of obvious injustices that they feel is continuing as it ever was and they are tired of it and want a solution.
At Gethsemane not only did Jesus stop the potential insurrection by telling Peter to put away his sword, He also corrected the damaged situation by healing the servant’s ear. We must believe the Prince of Peace doesn’t take sides – after defusing and healing He would bring all sides into peace by honestly putting out all the issues on the table and thrashing them out in the spirit of forgiveness.
So you wanted officer Wilson to die instead? Remember, he did not do anything but ask a question and warn that action would result. Brown became the aggressive. Wilson only had a few seconds to defend himself. Jesus wasn’t physically there to protect Wilson and calm Brown down either.
This is my attitude exactly. Some of the responses to this excellent post really show us how divided hearts are, even those hearts that claim to be under the Lordship of Christ. Several folks immediately responded on the side of the officer …that he was doing his job defending himself. They make their statements as “matter of fact,” yet…they were not there and they only know what they heard the officer report. Naturally, other people are going to assume this was a racist act, given the players and their differences. They don’t know, they were not there either. Jude explains how we would even accuse Angels of things we know nothing about. The one that knows may or may decide to uncover the truth of the matter, but if we belong to Him, really, if we are His, we would put our opinions to the side and respond with love. Just think, the responses of people swayed by the media (the power of the prince of the air….waves) are quite possibly a reflection of their one-sided mindset. If that is the case, they are fodder for the agenda Satan has in mind, which is to govern a people that are not willing to submit their thoughts to God and remain under infinite knowledge. I don’t care who we are, believers or not, we will pay a heavy price for refusing lean not to our own understanding. We will suffer and people will suffer because of us. Great blog sir. Be blessed!!
Good input. I too think Jesus might challenge the law… or at least the interpretation of it. He often challenged the unjust Pharisaical interpretations and applications of the Mosaic Law. I love your take here. Thanks.
The problem with comparing this to the woman being stoned is that the woman being stoned wasn’t a clear, imminent threat to life and limb. The cop was defending himself and did what was necessary to survive.
Whether the suspect was a threat to life and limb is not really the point. Unless a law exists that allows you to be killed if you are (only) a threat to life and limb. It sounds more eye for an eye than turn the other cheek to me.
Besides, it happens too often in a whole variety of situations for each to be down to a threat of life and limb only. With cases like this, more often than not the argument is that a misconception of a threat is not enough to warrant the same judgement as the threat itself.
Unless a ‘law’ exists where both warrants the same judgement – as the officer said, his conscience is clear.
a case for total depravity
Ha! Well, considering our discussions on Calvinism, you’ve got a good point here! 😉
Mark…that is the police code. IDOL is their acronym. They shoot only in defense of life and limb and go through intensive training to exhaust every other possible option. That being said, the Bible flat out says that the government has the right to bear the sword.
>They shoot only in defense of life and limb and go through intensive training to exhaust every other possible option.
That was the case before police departments in the United States had death squads, whose sole reason for existing, was to execute people without a trial.
That “intensive training” is so good, that even college campus police are purchasing armed personal carriers.
Stop breaking the law. People, black or white, who rob stores and then attack the police will be possibly be killed by the police.
yes, this is the possible outcome of lawless behavior, for sure.
We went through a phase in a local issue where the media were trying to incite demonstrations, protests and blockades. We said no. It’s not always easy because the media lose interest and you risk losing traction.
The violence in this case makes great media. But it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if, instead of rioting, the people went to the local police stations and lay down on the steps, the footpath, along the road, and refused to leave until they got a predetermined outcome (eg a review of the evidence, apologies etc, or a form of forgiveness and grace as Jeremy has suggested here). Non-violent responses can be scarier to authorities if there are enough people.
Right! I suspect that non-violent resistance is exactly what Martin Luther King, Jr. would have done if he had been leading these protests.
AMEN! Come Lord Jesus! Wipe away every tear!
I look forward to the glorious day when Christ Jesus will wipe away every tear from my eyes.
Can you imagine what the world will be like when that happens!?
you wrote “Jesus would invite the people of Ferguson to forgive Officer Wilson, knowing that although the death of Michael Brown was wrong, nothing will bring Michael Brown back” (partial sentence)……
I can understand making the point that the people of Ferguson should be invited to forgive what they perceived as a wrong on the part of the officer……but for you to make the assumption and then state that the Officer’s action was “wrong” (if that is what you meant to say) is not something I can agree with, not without your full rationale (which maybe I missed from an earlier post)….in doing this, you by implication project that Jesus judged the Officer as wrong in this instance (not guilty in the broader since as we all are per your conclusions)
I hope you don’t take offense but rather take my response for what it is, a response to your invitation for comment….if I read more into your sentence than you actually said or meant to say, I apologize
Execution without trial.
That is what the cop did, that was wrong.
Don,
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify. I wasn’t saying that Darren Wilson was wrong. All I was saying is that the Ferguson Protestors thought he was wrong, and rather than react violently, they could have forgiven him, for this is what Jesus calls us to do when we believe we are wronged.
…for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1.20
No, no it does not. Good point.
But he who lives by the sword will die by it.
The Bible says many things. Jesus came with the approach ‘You have heard of old or it is written in the law, but I say… ‘. So that ‘I say’ is higher than ‘Bible say’. Or even IDOL say (shame about the acronym).
His ‘I say’ is to restore and give life, and not the opposite. If the result is destruction and death it is some other voice or source.
There’s a way that seems right to us, but the end is death – truly.
I don’t think he would say anything, but he might be around healing bodies, casting out demons, and giving sight to the blind….
Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath. Prov 29.8
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/26/how-one-womans-vandalized-bakery-has-become-the-greatest-story-to-come-out-of-ferguson-riots/
This is what Jesus would have done…
Yes, yes, yes! I love that story! There is Jesus!