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Matthew 1:21 – The Gospel According to the Zimmerman-Martin Trial
The announcement of Jesus’ birth is that He named in accordance to His purpose – “He will save His people from their sins” (Mt.1.21). “Jesus” means, “The Lord Saves.” From our 21st century viewpoint, we understand this as spiritual salvation. In the 1st century, their myopic prophetic view was the oppressed nation (Jews) would be saved from the sins of the oppressors (Romans).
“The concept of sin is shaped by what people are enduring from their oppressors, and the word salvation is used to express their longing to be free from that oppression” (Kenneth Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes, p.49).
Old Testament prophecies gloried in the destruction of political oppressors (Isa.47:1-3) of God’s people; as does the closing book in the New, Revelation. But the gospel is not about those oppressing politically, but about those oppressed by their own sins. According to the gospel, we are our own oppressors, and own worst enemies.
So when Jesus comes and preaches allegiance politically to the oppressors such as paying taxes; and preaches that the sins are not those of the oppressors but of the oppressed, He stood the misperceived gospel good-news on its head. “Don’t look first and only at the sins of others, but look at the sins of yourselves,” is the gospel message (Mt.7:1-5). The community we all should be concerned with is a community of one.
Applying this to the recent trial, I know I shall make enemies like Jesus did with His unexpected and pointed message. It is not important what I think the verdict should have been, and you might agree, be surprised or disappointed by my conclusion. Unfortunately most people assigned themselves almost exclusively to the communities of Black and White, much like the first century of Roman versus Jew.
First to the White Community – Do not focus on the sins of Black on Black crimes, or a culture that is different than yours, while neglecting to look first at yourself. Not all Blacks share the same culture any more than all Whites do. And unless the cultural activity is defined as sin, it is just different. Your community is not those who are racist, although I believe that to be a small, small, small minority. Neither is your community those not racist or those Whites who constantly clamor guiltily about “White Privilege.” The White Community is non-existent according to the gospel. Look at yourself, not as a member of a community, but as individuals. What justice, kindness, and equality are you not practicing? What sins do you have? Jesus did not come to save the Whites from the Blacks. He came to save sinners.
Now to the Black Community – Do not focus on racism, whether real or perceived, as an all-encompassing worldview; or on those who are Black racists against Whites which is a small, small, small minority. Your oppressors are not Whites or even those Black leaders who see only White sins. Your community is not those guilty of Black on Black crimes. The Black Community is non-existent according to the gospel. Look to yourself. What justice, kindness, and equality are you not practicing? What sins do you have? Jesus did not come to save the Blacks from the Whites. He came to save sinners.
“The gospel according to the Zimmerman–Martin Trial” is that both Zimmerman and Martin were of the same community, sinners who needed salvation. Biblical justice is freedom from sin (Mt.12:18); not freedom in a courtroom or from a class or community. Biblical justice is how God treats all sinners and how we should treat one another:
Matthew 12:20 (HCSB) He will not break a bruised reed, and He will not put out a smoldering wick, until He has led justice to victory.
In God’s eyes Zimmerman and Martin are not communities. The gospel is that they are equal in God’s sight, both made in His image, and equally sinners. According to the gospel there is no White Community or Black Community, Hispanic Community, Roman Community or Jewish Community. There are only two – Lost Sinners and Saved Sinners. In Christ, the wall has been broken down (Eph.2:14). Unfortunately, many have forgotten that when that wall was built, Blacks and Whites were on the same side of the unbroken wall, both racially as Gentiles, and as sinners. There is one chosen race, saved sinners (1 Pet.2:9). The gospel according to the Zimmerman-Martin Trial is about your sins and mine. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about God with Us (Mt.1:23), who died to save us individuals from our sins.
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