When we look at Jesus performing healing miracles with witnesses present, we see two approaches.* Jesus healing many in the multitudes, and Jesus healing the one. Crowds across a land would gather in synagogues, in homes, and in open areas. Sometimes Jesus would heal many that were afflicted. At other times, He placed His focus on the one. The witnesses were always changed too.
Today, there are many in the multitude and there is the one. Can you identify which you are?
When we gather together in our churches, in our homes, and in open areas, we are acknowledging that many in the multitudes need healing of racism, and the one needs healing from the destruction of it.
Numerous accounts of both approaches cite friends and community members bringing others with them, even carrying some. They took action. They carried the burden, even though they had struggles too. They showed up in need and in support. They stood as the multitude and experienced the miracle together. When we declare that Black Lives Matter, we are confessing the burden that is ours to carry and submitting the spotlight.
If you are a white person who feels that you have made progress in healing racism in yourself, bring a white friend who isn’t there yet and carry your black friend who is hurting. Choosing to join the multitude will change you too.
For those of us who acknowledge that we are the many, we can choose to show up for our own healing, grab the hand of a friend that maybe isn’t sure, and unite to carry the many that need such significant healing that they will not make it on their own. We are also responsible to unite and carry the one. (To be absolutely clear, I am not suggesting that black people need to be carried, simply that you are never responsible for carrying white people.)
As the many in the multitude, there is so much that needs to be healed. This seemed like a place to start.
We can Re.train our thoughts, tongues, and time to reflect Christ.
Some people certainly have evil in their hearts, but *I think* for most, there is a genuine desire to be loving. Unfortunately, that desire can get tainted when moving from our hearts to our minds. Our thoughts get poisoned by things we have witnessed and been taught. To change them, we have to ask: do my thoughts revolve around love and compassion? Or is it more like pride? Ego? Assumptions? Valuing myself over others? Excuses to treat others differently than I’d treat myself? Striving to be right instead of striving to be kind?
The ultimate goal is to change our thoughts so that no matter what rolls off of our tongues, it is life-giving; I think that is a perfection that humans will never fully conquer. So instead, we need to ask ourselves: are the words in my mouth reflective of Christ, AND do they need to be spoken at this moment? Do my words communicate love and compassion? Are the words that I am speaking drawing the spotlight to myself or is this a moment to join the voice of the multitude?
Finally, time. Does how I spend my time promote love and compassion? Is any of my time applied to carrying my afflicted friend? Am I devoting time to gather with the multitude? Can I allow a portion of my time to be solely focused on the one? Am I constantly consuming my time with myself? Does my world revolve around me or am I showing up?
Ask yourself: What do I need to retrain in my thoughts, tongue, and time? If your answer is nothing, you aren’t even showing up. Don’t allow Jesus’ blood to be wasted. He poured every ounce out to forgive our sins and redeem our pain. Honor Him with change. Unite with your community to bring the afflicted before Him; gather with the multitude; allow Jesus to heal you. Stand in solidarity as He focuses on the one.
It is not too late. He has made you able.
Black Lives Matter.
*[There are a few moments that we see Jesus heal a small group of people with witnesses; the ten lepers (Luke 17), two blind men (Matthew 20), and two demon-possessed men (Matthew 8). Shared affliction, shared healing. I think these instances could be considered either approach.]
