We say two things when we say “Black Lives Matter.” The first, we name an organization that works to, “Create a world free of anti-blackness, where every black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive.” This organization was formed after the killing of Treyvon Martin and named after a hashtag that activist Alicia Garza wrote on social media. The hashtag has come to represent a lot of different things, but as of late is commonly used when the killing of a Black person happens at the hands of a police officer.

The second thing we say when we say, “Black lives matter,” is that the Black experience in America has not been the same as the White experience in America, but Black lives do matter. And for Christians who support this idea say, “Black lives are also made in the image of God and should be considered just as sacred as everyone else who is made in the image of God.” 

“Black lives matter” is not an exclusionary statement towards White people because the White experience is the normal and the majority experience. Our society is made for us with us in mind. When we say, “Black lives matter,” we admit that there are more people in this world than simply the White majority. This is a way to say, “Black people matter, too.” 

Turn to the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 to Mary’s Song. She just receives the news that she is carrying the Christ child and her cousin Elizabeth confirms it. Mary praised God saying, “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty” (vv 52-53). Mary is naming the legacy of God that God incarnate will continue in his earthly ministry. This is an uncomfortable legacy for those in power but for those who have been oppressed, this is life.

In the synagogue, Jesus reads from a scroll from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). He tells them that this prophecy is being fulfilled in him. 

Jesus ministry is marked by social justice. The power disparities in his society are contrary to the gospel and Jesus is there to dismantle them. Jesus’ ministry is to free the oppressed. Every day, he looks for those on the margins of society- the sick, the hungry, the outcast, the Samaritan and brings their experiences to the forefront. 

The blind man is pushed back by the crowd as he says, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd orders him to be quiet, but the man yells even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus calls the man to himself and asks him what he needs. The blind man asks for his sight to be restored and Jesus says, “Go; your faith has made you well.” (Mark 10:46-52). While Bartimaeus was oppressed in society because of his blindness, some people in our society are oppressed because they are Black.

Black people are calling out to be seen, heard, and believed. They are calling out, asking that their lives matter just as much as anyone else’s life. People push back and say, “You don’t have a right to ask for this. Our system has been working just fine for all these years before you spoke up. Fall into place. Be well behaved. Be silenced.” 

Jesus interrupts the commotion and says, “Come, what do you want me to do for you?” The Black man says, “Don’t kill me for a broken tail light.” 

Jesus asks again, “Come, what do you want me to do for you?” and the Black child says, “Don’t kill me for walking home in a hoodie.” 

Jesus asks again, “Come, what do you want me to do for you?” And the Black man says, “Don’t kill me for going to the store.”

Jesus didn’t come specifically to save the rich and powerful, the Pharisee, the kings and queens, or the Roman guards. But he did save them when he saved the poor, the hungry, the outcast, the Samaritan. No matter how much we like our power and a world made for Whiteness, we aren’t truly free unless all humans are truly free. So, proclaiming that “Black lives matter,” is a way to work towards that collective freedom.