He's not Heavy, He's my Brother

Last Sunday Raju mentioned this story in his message. Specifically, he said that the reason Jesus said "Your sins are forgiven" because that is the best thing he could do for the man. The man had no gainful employment, could not walk and could not even get to a point where he could If that is the case with a lame beggar, how do we feel that somehow other things are more important? I am gainfully employed by society, so that's a major need that he had that I don't. I can walk. Another thing he needed. Even when I'm not working, I have God given abilities which allow me to give back more than that lame beggar could. But really, we share the largest need of all, the need for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not something we always care to admit as a need. Almost anything is better than asking for forgiveness. I find it much easier to say "I’m sorry" than to actually ask "Will you forgive me?" I think it's because sorrow can be an expression of sympathy or empathy, while a request for forgiveness is an admission of guilt. Like the athlete, saying he's sorry that he's hurt people. Sorry they were hurt? Sorry that they misunderstood you? If yes, your not admitting guilt. Sorry is easy to say. Begging forgiveness allows the healing to begin.

Reading the story again this week, (strange coincidence, not necessarily a habit) I noticed something a little different. It was the beggar’s friends who were the motivating factor. I seriously doubt he could have convinced unbelieving friends to carry him to Christ. Verse 20 specifically says "their faith." That's a plural. I can't go so far as to say this man's friends got his sins forgiven, but it certainly seems that the community he surrounded himself with held his faith together.

Do I somehow think I' different in this regard? If I'm not surrounded by my community, supporting me, loving me, holding together all the pieces that fly off at random times, I'm pretty much worthless. When I have only my own worries, I focus on them, stew on them, and they eat me up. When I have a community around me, I realize that my problems are insignificant compared to everyone else's. Also, Christ keeps kicking me to meet someone else’s need. Somehow, whenever I obey Him, my needs get met as well. Sometimes a kick in the pants, sometimes an encouraging word. Always, God works through His people. They truly are His representatives on earth.

Boondocks: The Passion of Ruckus

Boondocks Theme
By Asheru

I am the stone that the builder refused
I am the visual, the inspiration
That made Lady Sing the Blues...

I'm the spark that makes your idea bright
The same spark that lights the dark
So that you can know your left from your right...

I am the ballot in the box, the bullet in the gun
The innerglow that lets you know
To call your brother sun...

The story that just begun
The promise of what's to come
And I'm a remain a soldier 'til the war is won

Judo Flip, chop chop chop
Judo Flip, chop chop chop
Judo Flip, chop chop chop
Judo Flip, chop chop chop

So goes the intro song of the controversial and celebrated cartoon Boondocks. Launched in November of 2005, the first season was recently released to DVD, and a second season is expected. It is based on Aaron McGruder's comic strip with the same name. Called "the first cartoon of hip hop" it deals with racism, hip hop culture, and anything else that needs to be lampooned. The thing that strikes me about Boondocks is that despite it's slightly left of center politics (one may not appreciate Reagan, but stop short of calling him the Antichrist) and off color language (F*** and N***** are favorites) it has a habit of pointing out racism and pride wherever it is found. And I have a soft spot in my heart for TV shows that point out sin.

The following clip, from the episode "The Passion of Ruckus" is pretty standard as far as the interaction. Huey (the one with the 'fro) is intelligent, thoughtful, and an occasionally violent black radical. His little brother Riley is a gangsta. Jazmine, their neighbor, is portrayed as just naive. They're discussing Huey's concern for Shabazz, a black man who will soon be executed for a murder he did not commit.




Here lies Huey's problem. He's not sure of his belief in God, but he is wrestling with injustice, and things he can't control. That, combined with Uncle Ruckus' (no r'lation) gospel of black hatred, has put him at the end of his rope.



There's no real closure, but it demonstrates well the measure of men. Huey has his prayer answered, but is unsure whether it was God or his own efforts that brought about the change. Ruckus continues in his sin, despite being struck by lightning. The Governor is caught in his sin, but doesn't really want to give it up.

At times, I am Huey, working feverishly, trying to accomplish what I know is right. I work until I can do no more, and still, nothing is accomplished. It is these times when I must sit on the hill and wait for God to work. When he does, I am never positive why it happened, because he uses my puny contributions to accomplish His grand Plan.

At other times, I am Ruckus, loudly shouting what I believe, but missing the mark, arrogantly demanding God prove me wrong. And when he does, it is violent and painful, but somehow gentle and renewing. Hopefully I can rise up and take the correction, but sometimes, like Ruckus, I immediately return to my bullheaded ignorance, only quieter.