CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
The Lost “Black” Sheep How should Adventists relate to the Black Lives Matter movement?
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Courtesy Central States Conference
hat man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:4-5 As we continue to experience the realities of a pandemic and racial tensions simultaneously, many have wondered how we as Christians should relate to the group that Jesus in Matthew 25 refers to as “the least of these.” That passage speaks for itself, and clearly shows that as the King, the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats. The separation is not based on knowledge of doctrines and intellectual theology, but on how they responded to those who needed help in a real and tangible way. Many debate the politics of the Black Lives Matter movement, and have asked if we as Adventist Christians should
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be for or against it. financial discrimination— I humbly submit that the have been the reality for the biblical passage which came “black” sheep, the black and to my mind in helping us brown people in our nation. understand why this concept The black sheep have not should be so important to only been lost in America Christians was the scripture after being brought here quoted above. In this parable against their will, but have Jesus gives us a glimpse of also been in real danger. the compassion God has Thus, there is a spiritual and for those who are spiritually moral responsibility for us lost. It also creates a window as Christians to realize the into God’s mind and how He need to leave the 99 who persistently seeks to save the are safe and secure (and lost—not only spiritually but who still indeed matter to physically as well. the Shepherd) and search In this text, it is not that for, care for and protect the the 99 sheep did not matter one who constantly lives an to the Shepherd. However, endangered life. they were not the ones who Our Adventist heritage were lost or in danger. I remember reading The Bible It is a blessing to know that Story books by Arthur S. our very own Adventist pioMaxwell and seeing the picneers were strict abolitionists. ture of the Shepherd clinging Ellen G. White, Joseph Bates to the rocks of the cliff with and others wrote letters and one hand while cradling the articles condemning slavery lost sheep in His other hand. and racism. They even sternly addressed Adventist churches Endangered lives and leaders who endeavored Regardless of our politito continue racist practices cal or personal persuasions, and traditions. the Christ-like character of In addition, they were God is always concerned for supportive of joining and conthose who are “lost” and in necting on moral issues with danger. American historians other groups who were not and sociologists have documembers of our denominamented that from the birth tion. Here’s a word of instrucof this nation all men were tion from our prophetess: indeed not created equal, Light has been given me since blacks were considered that there are those with most 3/5 of a man. precious talents and capabiliSlavery and subsequently ties in the Women’s Christian the remnants of slavery— Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.). Jim Crow laws, redlining, Much time and money have housing discrimination, mass been absorbed among us in incarceration, police brutality, ways that bring no returns.
Instead of this, some of our best talent should be set at work for the W.C.T.U., not as evangelists, but as those who fully appreciate the good that has been done by this body. We should seek to gain the confidence of the workers in the W.C.T.U. by harmonizing with them, as far as possible (Review and Herald, June 18, 1908). What a beautiful sentiment! As far as possible, Ellen White proposed that we should work together for the good of humanity, even if we have disagreements in other points. Her message appears to echo Jesus’ ministry statement of Luke 4:18, which was to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed. Throughout the gospels, Jesus makes the appeal repeatedly to the people and religious leaders to recalibrate their minds on who really is our neighbor and what should be our primary focus as Christians. My prayer for us today is simply that we may see that one “black” sheep, and do all we can to demonstrate that it matters as much to us as it matters to God. Cryston Josiah is VP of administration for the Central States Conference. He also serves as Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) director.
