Prophets

Matthew 21:11 - And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee."

I was once part of a Bible study in which we discussed prophets. What is a prophet? I'm not sure we came upon a definition that suited all of us because I suggested Al Gore, who has been sounding the alarm about climate change for almost half a century, and people were skeptical. My definition of a prophet is someone who -knowingly or not - speaks to people on behalf of God. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Many people regard him as a prophet. Many people will be writing blog posts, forwarding or writing facebook posts and essay about him. Rather than writing about him personally, I encourage you to seek out and read what African-Americans are writing about him and his legacy.

Instead, I'd like to lift up less well-known prophets, such as Jesus in this verse. He was well-known in some circles, but the people of Jerusalem, according to Matthew, did not know him. This includes all you preachers who don't hold back from speaking God's truth from the pulpit, calling out the sins of racism, sexism, greed, and privilege for what they are; and calling your congregations to action. This includes you who speak truth to power, wherever you can - from the pulpit, the classroom, the boardroom, the office, in church, within your families and anywhere else your voices carry weight. This includes those who walk with the oppressed and suffering in solidarity and use their voices to lift up their stories and advocate on their behalf. You are all prophets.

There are many prophetic voices speaking today. Dr. King may be gone, but his dream hasn't died. Many people have carried on his legacy. In particular, I'd like to lift up Rev. Dr. William Barber II, who is reigniting Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign. The fact that we need a poor people's campaign suggests there is a war against the poor. United, we can create change in this country. Divided, we will continue to lose the progress we have lost in this past year. Dr. Barber recognizes that this is a time in which everyone needs to choose where they stand and act. Don't be like Paul Ryan trying to stay neutral in order to keep his job. Neutrality only blesses and maintains the status quo. Now is the time, if you haven't already, to educate yourself and choose whose side you're on - the rich or the poor. As Rev. Barber says, "Silence is not an option."

Today, as we read about Dr. King and consider his work and the risks he took, I encourage us all to ask ourselves where God is calling us to act, gather our courage, get out of our comfort zone, and follow.