40 Days to Heal a Nation’s Racial DivideSample

Day 31: Repairing the Breach

“Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Luke 19:8

When  Zaccheus meets Jesus, he is so convicted of how he has stolen wealth that he remembers the Old Testament law (Exodus 22:1) and commits to making restitution through paying back four times what he’s taken and also says he’ll give away half of his possessions. Jesus does not rebuke  Zaccheus for making restitution. He affirms that true repentance is accompanied by action that makes things whole. 

As the family of God, we understand repentance and making things right in our relationship with God. But we struggle with making things right when it comes to repairing the breach caused by chattel slavery, imprisonment, discrimination in laws, housing, employment, education, etc., all of which depleted people of African descent. 

ACTION: Please wrestle with the following questions today: Why isn’t the family of God leading the charge for reparations for people of African descent? Is it that our lives are not as valued as our Jewish and Japanese brothers and sisters and all who received reparations after WWII? Does the Church believe that chattel slavery and building America for free was acceptable? If someone like  Zaccheus steals from your family, you want restitution for your family. Are people of African descent not seen as part of the family?  

PRAYER

Father, You desire unity in Your family, and this area of reparations is causing so many to fall out with each other. Can you please speak to us clearly today and make Your heart known. We relinquish our thoughts and ways of doing things and become Your student. Please teach us and keep us safe, in Jesus’s Name, Amen.