It has been almost 60 years since Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and challenged the nation to come together in unity; disregarding the color of our skin and embracing the freedom that was granted to all when a great proclamation was signed putting an end to slavery generations before. Half a century later, we still fall short of this brave man’s dream.

But this earth has seen racism for far longer than the days of Mr. King. The Bible tells us the story of a Samaritan, unaccepted by other nationalities, who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. (Luke 10:25-37) Mr. King made mention of this story in his famous speech saying: “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’ For as long as we have been able to look back in history, we have seen evidence of selfish and unloving people who have seen the color of someone’s skin before the character of the person.

Jesus came to bring us freedom from that hateful spirit long before laws were placed by man. He brought us Salvation so that we might live free â€" from hatred and the bondage it holds over our hearts. Today, we remember Martin Luther King Jr. and the influence he had on our country. The words he spoke still ring loudly.  “...I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream...I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal... I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character... This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, ‘My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.’ “

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.� - Martin Luther King Jr.

Suggested Prayer:

Dear Lord, allow me to love others as you love them, to see others as you see them, and serve others with the love and humility that you did. I am forever grateful for the salvation you gave us through your death on the cross so that we might live freely and abundantly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Galatians 5:1 (NIV).