Midweek Reflection – Matthew 5:17-19

I wrote this reflection yesterday – the day of George Floyd’s funeral. It has been impossible to miss the wave of outrage that has crossed our world over the brutal killing of George Floyd by the police in Minnesota. It is an outrage that springs, not just from the death of one man, but from centuries of violence and brutality against people of Black and Minority Ethnic heritage – and it is time for this to end.

We might think that this is just America’s problem – but this is not the case. The UK and many other countries in the West are equally culpable. Our colonial history and the accompanying trade in black slaves made many British men rich and laid the foundation of many of our cities. Cities that today still bear monuments to such men.

We might like to think that things are better today – but slavery still happens. Brexit has shown us the hidden prejudice, xenophobia and racism that still exists in our country – and statistics around Covid 19 are showing us that those of BAME heritage are disproportionally affected by the virus. The truth is, we might like to think of our country as a place where people of all heritages are safe and are recognised and valued, but the reality is very different.

As Christians, we can speak powerfully into this situation, if we are willing raise our voice, to speak out. We have a message of love – extravagant, radical love – the love of God who values each and every person – who created each of us in His image in all our diversity and difference.

I believe that it is our duty, as Christians, to stand up for those who are oppressed, to be the voice of those who have no voice. How can we do this?

We can make a start by educating ourselves – by understanding the issues, putting ourselves in the shoes of others. There are a lot of resources out there to help us in doing that. There are some extraordinary films – films like ‘The Help,’ ‘Selma,’ ‘Hidden figures,’ ‘13th’ ‘Malcolm X’ – most of these are available on Netflix or other streaming services. There are extraordinary books – books like ‘why I’m no longer talking to white people about race’ by Reni Eddo-Lodge.

If we are looking to go further, we can financially support organisations who are working for racial justice here in the UK. Gaylene Gould – the cultural ambassador for London appointed by Sadiq Kahn – has put together a list of 200 UK organisations who are working for racial justice.

So how does all this link with today’s passage?

Today’s verses from Matthew chapter 5 sit in between the sermon on the mount (sometimes called the beatitudes) and further expanded teaching on the law by Jesus in Chapter 6.

Jesus is very clear about what this teaching represents, it does not replace the law – not even the smallest letter or a stroke of a pen – instead Jesus’ aim is help us understand how it should be interpreted by building upon it. 

Just as people try and find loopholes in our legal system today, so people did in biblical times. People looked to find loopholes in the law, usually so that they could find ways to gain financially from others misfortune – sound familiar? Or get away with mistreating those who were the most vulnerable people in society – also sound familiar?

In building upon the law, Jesus teaching reveals the heart of God for the poor and the oppressed. Jesus shows us the values of the Kingdom of Heaven – where every person is valued, every person matters to God.

This was the original intention of the law – it was given to God’s chosen people to show them how much God loved them, and to show them how they should, in turn, demonstrate this love to each other.

In short – it teaches us how to love like God loves.

As Christians living in our divided society, a divided world – we have a choice to make. Will we make our voice heard? Will we stand up for those who are mistreated, oppressed, even killed because of the colour of their skin?

Together, let us be people who demonstrate the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. People who recognise the value of each person, who recognise the image of God that is created in each of us.

Let us be people who want to know and understand more – who educate ourselves and support causes who are working for positive change in our country.

Let us be people of prayer – who cry out to God for justice and peace in our world. Amen.