MLK Day Reflection

 Many of my brothers and sisters who I admire most for their amazing faith are African American. One might expect that their ancestors would have rejected a faith that came through the hands of slave owners—people who so often used Christianity while committing horrific abuse.

Yet, while reading a work of historical fiction, I learned something that stopped me in my tracks. Teaching a slave to read was illegal unless the Bible was used—and even then, it was only considered permissible under those conditions. In many cases, the motivation for teaching enslaved people to read Scripture was likely far from pure. It was often intended as a means of control or manipulation.

As I researched further, I discovered that an edited “Slave Bible” was published. According to a historical overview on the Online Library of Liberty, the so-called “Slave Bible” was a heavily edited version of Scripture used in the British West Indies that omitted many passages that might encourage thoughts of liberation or equality.  Entire sections were removed—stories like Joseph sold into slavery, Moses leading the Israelites out of bondage, and New Testament passages that spoke of the spiritual equality of all people in Christ.

And yet, despite these calculated omissions, verses remained that proclaimed freedom in Christ. Truth slipped through the cracks. Even in a Bible edited to suppress hope, the message of Christian liberty could not be fully silenced.

What was meant for evil, God still turned to good.

That is what stands out to me most. The Bible—in all its forms and iterations—still reaches human hearts with truth. No manipulation of man can ultimately withhold the truth of God. Light has a way of shining through, even when someone tries to cover it.

Example (Chicago-style / general reference):

Ealy, Steve. The Slave Bible. Online Library of Liberty, September 13, 2021. Accessed [date you accessed it]. https://oll.libertyfund.org/publications/reading-room/Ealy_Slave_Bible.  

Have You Looked Under the Bed?

Recently, as a full-grown adult, I participated in a treasure hunt. It wasn’t even for anything valuable. It was for tiny plastic ducks hidden all over the house.

If someone had simply handed me a dollar-store bag of those ducks, I would have chunked it. It wasn’t about the ducks—it was about the pursuit. There is something about truly searching for a prize that makes it more valuable in our eyes.

Children love to play hide-and-seek. Grown men search for the most sought-after bottles of bourbon. Many people love hunting for priceless antiques. Searching seems to be hard-wired into the human brain. I wonder why?

I must confess, I watch shows about hunting for treasure more than any other type of show. It doesn’t even matter whether the object being sought is valuable or not—I will watch any movie or show where people are searching for treasure. I love treasure hunts!

Hunting requires engagement. It involves using our minds, digging through information, and believing the prize is out there waiting to be found. Then comes the physical pursuit.

What if there were a perfect Kingdom—full of treasure—right here on earth, but it could only be found by seeking?

What if it held answers to the most perplexing issues you face daily?

What if it contained the key to breaking every chain that holds you captive?

What if it was hidden under your bed and you never bothered to look?

Matthew 13:44–46 (NIV)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Did you see it? The Kingdom of heaven is hidden, and we must look for it. Have you scavenged for the treasure of the kingdom of God? Do you spend part of each day seeking His kingdom?

This parable in Matthew isn’t the only place Scripture points us in that direction. Again and again, in many ways, the Bible urges us to seek, search, and pursue this treasure. Google it. I dare you.

If all we know about the Bible is the criteria for admission to heaven, then we haven’t really been seeking. The Bible is a love story. God loves us so much that He gave it to guide us in how to live every day here on earth.

We’ve been given a treasure map.

It’s found in the Holy Scriptures of God.

Ask God for the passion to dig through it.

Comb through it.

Follow every lead.

Ask questions and hunt out the answers.

And do this daily.

There are wonderful tools available for this pursuit. My favorite is my digital Bible. It includes multiple translations, maps, an extensive concordance, notes from Bible scholars, links to relevant articles, recurring themes throughout Scripture, multiple highlight colors, devotionals, and space to write notes as I read.

But don’t stop there. Attend Bible classes offered by your church. Pray for direction in this endeavor. Then ponder these things in your heart.

Stories

Don’t you wish you could learn things the easy way?  I believe that is why we have stories.  Stories allow us to learn from someone else’s painful experiences.  And true stories are the best!  I have a friend who, before telling any story, prefaces it with “This is a true story”.  

Stories come in all flavors.  Some stories are of love, some adventure, some mysterious, and some are too amazing to believe but you hope that they are true.  Some give hope, some despair, some shine a light and some show us a piece of a world hidden from our eyes before the story.  I have heard it said that life is a story and that all teaching should be done by stories.  It is true that we humans relate best to stories and seek them out in books and movies.  Great comedians are simply story tellers who show us life through a new lens.  

Today I want to share a story with you.  It is one of my favorite stories and was written by a man named Luke about a man named Paul.  Paul spent the majority of his life traveling about, spreading the Good News that Jesus, the Son of God, lived, died and was resurrected. Paul's life story was a miracle and we get to meet him someday! I have questions for him. This story of Paul goes from humor to tragedy to joy. I chose The Message translation and removed the verse numbers that can sometimes distract from a good story. Enjoy. 

Acts 16:16-40 MSG
One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that.

When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, “These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order.” By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!”

The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!”

They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn’t wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.

At daybreak, the court judges sent officers with the instructions, “Release these men.” The jailer gave Paul the message, “The judges sent word that you’re free to go on your way. Congratulations! Go in peace!”

But Paul wouldn’t budge. He told the officers, “They beat us up in public and threw us in jail, Roman citizens in good standing! And now they want to get us out of the way on the sly without anyone knowing? Nothing doing! If they want us out of here, let them come themselves and lead us out in broad daylight.”

When the officers reported this, the judges panicked. They had no idea that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. They hurried over and apologized, personally escorted them from the jail, and then asked them if they wouldn’t please leave the city. Walking out of the jail, Paul and Silas went straight to Lydia’s house, saw their friends again, encouraged them in the faith, and only then went on their way.

Want to read more amazing stories like this?  You know where this one came from.  Lucky for us, there are many different versions to choose from.  Find one that you like and enjoy.