By Ife J. Ibitayo
I first witnessed the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in a Twitter post with the hashtag #imatotalpieceofshi—. This encounter revealed something deeply troubling in the American psyche, but I shoved the notion away. Like Muhammad Ali circling Joe Frazier in the ring, I knew this issue would rock me to my core if I allowed it get too close. But it can wait no longer. This tragedy demands a response.
Background on Ahmaud Arbery
Ahmaud Arbery was pursued and gunned down by two armed white men while he was out jogging. That murder occurred back in February. His killers walked free until national outcry forced the local authorities to respond three months later.
Outrage Definition
Outrage is the matching of an intense feeling of violent anger with an uncontrollable need to express it. Many have exploded at the racist extremism of these two gunmen. But far fewer have voiced indignation over the indifferent community that allowed them to go unpunished for so long.
The Outrage of the Cross
Another man was treated with contempt belying His worth when He walked this earth: Jesus Christ. The Son of God was reviled like a criminal (Matthew 27:38-44), abused like an animal (Isaiah 53:3-5), and buried like a mere mortal (Isaiah 53:9). During this bleak moment, a couple of His closest friends betrayed Him (Matthew 26:48-50) and denied Him (Mark 14:70-72). But the rest simply looked on as the grossest injustice in history was committed before their very eyes (Luke 23:44-49). The story of Jesus Christ demonstrates that apathy is not the exception but the natural state of our hearts.
From Outrage to Healing
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a hijacking of or a mere addendum to the issue of racial reconciliation. It sits at its very core. The only way an apathetic people can experience conviction and an outraged community attain forgiveness is through a transfusion of the healing blood of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:16 says, “Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.” The author was referring to first century Jews and Greeks, but how much more in need of reconciliation are twenty-first century blacks and whites?
Conclusion
Jesus Christ Himself is our peace. He transforms foreigners into neighbors and our foes into friends. So close is the unity of the faith that Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters (Matthew 12:49)! But even as Christians, we still see color.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of “little black children holding hands with little white children” was not only deeply poetic but also richly biblical. The book of Revelation speaks of a day when a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue will praise God together (Revelation 7:9). Diversity will no longer be a moat of division but a fount of inspiration, manifesting the multifaceted creativity of our Maker. That dream is brought ever closer when we extend our arms to our enemies and love them as our family.
“‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'”
(Matthew 5:43-44 ESV)