Let me preface my response by stating that I do not
claim to speak for all Black people, pastors or every Christian due to the
array of feelings and perspectives conveyed in this high profile case.
First, there is a plethora of emotions from every end of the
spectrum concerning the recent outcome of the State of Florida vs. George
Zimmerman that rendered him full exoneration of the shooting death of young
Trayvon Martin with the announcement of the two words heard around the world – “Not
Guilty”! As a Christian-American who happens to be Black, I am a husband, a dad
of four adult sons, two adult daughters all between the ages of 21 &25, a grandfather
of three grandsons, and to top it off, a pastor. To hear such a resume can lead
many white or non-Black people reading this response to pre-judge my reaction
to such a shocking verdict, ending the saga of the Trayvon Martin story, as unjust
and unfair. However, I write this response as a Christian-American Black person
(the order of my Heritage is intentional for this article) and is meant to
convey the true sentiments of my heart.
My initial reaction to the verdict was that of shock, though
I expected a similar outcome or possibly a manslaughter conviction based on in
my opinion, a lack of evidence needed for a conviction. The verdict propelled
my emotions to go in many different directions. First, my heart went out to Ms.
Fulton and Mr. Martin because their son is dead and the person responsible is
not guilty of taking their baby from them. I thought of me, my own sons, and
the times we were profiled by others just because we are black. Next, I
thought about the jurors who were mandated by the law and judge to remove their
emotions and deliberate the evidence presented to them based on current law. I to was given the same instructions as a juror in a murder case a number of years ago. The outcome of that case still haunts me today at times. I thought
about the many black people, especially the older ones who lived through Jim
Crow era and the overt racism allowed in this country during those times that
will see this case as a set back or reminder of dark days in the past. I even
thought about George Zimmerman whose life will never again be the same for
killing the young man who in the minds of many has now become the new face of
racial injustice, young Mr. Trayvon Martin. After I endured the emotional
aspect of the case and verdict as a black person who himself has been profiled,
called the “N” word, and given sub-par service in restaurants, the Christian-American
side of me kicked in. I thought about this story. Follow me for a moment. A man
profiles another man of a different race and claims that he is tired of members
of this other race doing things to hurt or plunder his neighborhood. He
confronts the person and eventually kills him and is charged with murder, but is
eventually set free by a justice system that is unjust and unfair. George
Zimmerman? No, Barabbas, the man who profiled Roman soldiers or citizens
because he was tired of them plundering his Jewish neighborhood and murdered
any Roman person he could when opportunities presented itself. Ironically, I
immediately thought about the gospel and how it reveals that Jesus, an innocent
man, is murdered while the one responsible, Barabbas, goes free. At last, my
mind thought of my own sins of the past. Sins that include profiling,
unforgiveness, impure thoughts, and many others I care not to mention. I find
that the list of sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 impugns all of humanity resulting
in overwhelming evidence of guilt as an offender of God’s holiness. Yet I find
hope in the 11th verse that really spells out a verdict of “Not
Guilty,” and being justified freely by our Judge’s grace. So for me, a
Christian-American Black person, the George Zimmerman case moves me to look at
my own sins. Unlike Mr. Zimmerman who came into the courtroom with a
presumption of innocence requiring the State to prove otherwise; I came into
the courtroom of heaven with the overwhelming evidence of guilt for sins past,
present, and future. Yet, a Holy God charges His Son with my sin, convicts Him
of them, and sentenced Him to death in the cruelest way possible and pronounces
over me a verdict of “Not Guilty.” It’s not fair or just in my opinion, but it
is love displayed in its highest form (John 15:13). How can I then demand
justice for Zimmerman when true justice for me is death and hell? Don’t get me
wrong, there should not be laws or a culture of hate allowed in this or any
country that provides a green light for people to take the life of another
unjustly. Responsible leaders and citizens should make every effort to correct
any disparities or and every unjust law. As for me, a Christian-American Black
Pastor, I choose to correlate all current, past, or future events in light of
the cross of Christ. The Apostle Paul declared that he did not want to know anything
amongst the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:2) except Jesus Christ and Him
crucified. So as a minister of the Gospel, it is my opinion that my voice
should be used to redeem situations and outcomes such as the Zimmerman case and
point people to the cross and the “Not Guilty” verdict we all enjoy as
believers in Christ.
For my non-Black brothers and sisters, do NOT minimize or
dispel the hurt and pain many Black people are experiencing because of this
high profile case. If you are in relationship with or know any Black people,
acknowledge the historical realities of racism in America and the unjust
rulings and adjudications from racist courts and judges of yesteryear. It would
also be wise to not celebrate Zimmerman’s exoneration for that would be
heartless and insensitive. This case reveals the covert hatred and racism that
continues to exist in this nation. But as Christian-Americans, we should point
to the cross and the historical document unique to American culture which
states that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights…!” I find then that true justice will never be
experienced on this side of heaven. It can only be fully realized at the cross
of Christ, a begotten Son who was killed unjustly and mercilessly at the hands
of a guilty person like me. Oh how Jesus loves a sinner like me, to declare the
person responsible for His death, "Not Guilty"!
Summary and Speaking Points:
- Do NOT minimize or dispel the hurt and pain many Black people are experiencing
- Acknowledge the historical realities of racism in America and the unjust rulings and adjudications of the past
- Do Not celebrate Zimmerman’s exoneration for that would be heartless and insensitive
- Acknowledge the realities that hatred and racism continues to exist in this nation
- As Christian-Americans, we should point to the cross
- True justice will never be experienced on this side of heaven
- The death of Christ is where true justice is realized
- We are all as guilty as George Zimmerman making us an equal sinner as he is
- Jesus loves you and renders the verdict of “Not Guilty” to everyone who believes in Him
Grace and peace from God the Father, the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, to all those who read this one
perspective from a broken, messed up, knucklehead of a sinner like me and allow
me to live and lavish in my exoneration by Jesus Christ, the great Judge, with the
unjust verdict of “Not Guilty” making me justified and clear of all of my sins!
David Outing, Lead and Teaching Elder
H.I.S.CHURCH of Orlando
www.his-church.info &
hischurchorlando@gmail.com
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