It’s worth noting that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was first and foremost, The Reverend. His leadership in the civil rights movement came out of his deep conviction that his work was his calling from Jesus to do. His strategy for confronting racial and economic injustices, non-violent direct action, was rooted in his understanding that this is what Jesus did and called his disciples to do. He followed that conviction all the way to the cross on April 4, 1968.
One doesn’t have to be a Christian, let alone a Reverend Christian, to confront and challenge the entrenched prejudices and the military-industrial complex as Rev. Dr. King did. One doesn’t have to belong to a church to lay down one’s life as Jesus and King did, either. But for those, like Rev. Dr. King, whose faith and commitment to follow Jesus is the foundation of their ongoing struggle for justice, here is my attempt to provide a connection between the modern struggle and the Biblical witness.
The Scarlet Journey is a series of six studies taken from selected passages in Mark’s gospel leading up to and including Jesus’ crucifixion. The studies are designed for use during the traditional Christian season of Lent, but can be used in whatever way is most appropriate to your situation.
The six studies include:
- Mark 14:3-9. Money and Sex
- Mark 14:32-42. Praying for Your Life
- Mark 14:66-72. Failure of Nerve
- Mark 15:6-15. Non-Violent Action vs. Armed Rebellion
- Mark 15:21-32. What Would You Die For?
- Mark 15:40-47. What Remains When Dreams Die
- An Epilog (with Reflection Questions) on Mark’s Resurrection
The first study in the series is available as a free download. The complete series is available for $7, which entitles you to make as many copies as you need for your personal use or with a study group.
