Identifying with the Oppressed: The Power of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all today. I am grateful to be back after recovering from COVID, and I want to extend a special thanks to Holly for stepping in last week. We have several announcements today, including the resumption of our Wednesday night activities on September 11th, where I'll be teaching a class called "Revelation for Normal People." Additionally, Nicole will be leading a bilingual art program for the kids. Mark your calendars for October 6th, as we will celebrate St. Matthew's 65th anniversary with a potluck and various activities. Also, on September 1st, let's celebrate the beginning of football season by wearing our team shirts. Lastly, please keep Richard Wagner's family in your prayers as he passed away on August 5th.
As we transition into our time of worship, we began with a prayer asking for God's presence and grace. We then moved into a time of offering, where we reflected on the blessings we've received and prayed for the gifts to be used in building God's kingdom.
Continuing our "Art of Faith" series, today we explored the work of Fritz Eichenberg, a Jewish-German artist who fled Nazi Germany and later became involved with the Quakers in New York. Eichenberg's art, particularly his piece "Black Crucifixion," powerfully conveys messages of suffering and social justice. This piece, created during the Civil Rights Movement, depicts Jesus with African American features, emphasizing His identification with the oppressed.
We also discussed James Cone's theology, which posits that Jesus' identity is deeply connected with the poor and oppressed. Cone's book "God of the Oppressed" uses Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" as its cover art, highlighting the theme that Jesus' suffering and resurrection offer liberation from systemic oppression.
Jesus often described Himself using the "suffering servant" passages from Isaiah, emphasizing His mission to suffer with and for the oppressed. This understanding challenges us to own the crucifixion and recognize our brokenness, so we can fully appreciate the resurrection's promise of liberation and grace.
As Christians, we must confront the harsh realities of our world, including historical and ongoing injustices, and find our place at the foot of the cross. Only then can we truly celebrate the resurrection and share its transformative power with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Art in Faith: Fritz Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" serves as a poignant reminder of Jesus' identification with the oppressed. Art can be a powerful medium to convey deep spiritual truths and challenge us to reflect on our own faith and actions. [35:41]
2. Jesus and the Oppressed: James Cone's theology emphasizes that Jesus' mission is deeply intertwined with the plight of the oppressed. By identifying with those who suffer, Jesus offers a message of hope and liberation that is as relevant today as it was in His time. [38:30]
3. The Suffering Servant: Jesus often described Himself using the "suffering servant" passages from Isaiah, highlighting His role in suffering with and for humanity. This challenges us to rethink our understanding of power and leadership in the context of faith. [41:04]
4. Owning the Crucifixion: To fully appreciate the resurrection, we must first own the crucifixion. This means recognizing our own brokenness and the systemic injustices in our world. Only by confronting these realities can we truly celebrate the transformative power of the resurrection. [45:05]
5. Living Out Our Faith: As Christians, we are called to engage with the world's brokenness and offer the hope of the resurrection. This involves not only personal reflection but also active participation in social justice, following Jesus' example of suffering with and for others. [47:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:17] - Announcements
[06:52] - Opening Prayer
[26:02] - Offering Prayer
[30:13] - Introduction to Art of Faith Series
[30:42] - Fritz Eichenberg's Background
[31:12] - Eichenberg's Artistic Mission
[32:10] - Eichenberg's Move to New York
[33:13] - Influence of Quaker Ethos
[33:42] - Collaboration with Dorothy Day
[34:12] - Eichenberg's Artistic Contributions
[35:41] - "Black Crucifixion" Analysis
[37:26] - Connection to Civil Rights Movement
[37:58] - James Cone's Theology
[38:30] - Jesus' Identification with the Oppressed
[41:04] - The Suffering Servant in Isaiah
[42:12] - Homework: Study Isaiah's Suffering Servant
[45:05] - Owning the Crucifixion
[47:02] - Living Out Our Faith
[48:36] - Final Song and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV)
> "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
2. Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
> "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key characteristics of the "suffering servant" as described in Isaiah 53:3-5?
2. How does Jesus describe His mission in Luke 4:18-19?
3. According to the sermon, how does Fritz Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" depict Jesus? ([35:41])
4. What is the significance of James Cone's theology in relation to Jesus' identification with the oppressed? ([38:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to identify Himself with the "suffering servant" passages from Isaiah rather than with more powerful or royal imagery? ([41:04])
2. How does the depiction of Jesus with African American features in "Black Crucifixion" challenge traditional representations of Jesus? ([35:41])
3. What does James Cone mean when he says that Jesus' identity is deeply connected with the poor and oppressed? How does this perspective change our understanding of Jesus' mission? ([38:30])
4. How can recognizing our own brokenness and the systemic injustices in our world help us to fully appreciate the resurrection? ([45:05])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt oppressed or marginalized. How did you see or not see Jesus in that situation? ([38:30])
2. How can art, like Fritz Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion," help you to understand and engage with your faith on a deeper level? ([35:41])
3. In what ways can you identify with the "suffering servant" in your own life? How does this identification impact your relationship with Jesus? ([41:04])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to confront and address systemic injustices in your community? ([45:05])
5. How can you live out your faith by engaging with the world's brokenness and offering the hope of the resurrection? ([47:02])
6. Think of a specific instance where you witnessed or experienced social injustice. How can you bring the message of Jesus' liberation and hope into that situation? ([38:30])
7. How can you make the crucifixion personal in your life, and what changes might this bring to your understanding and celebration of the resurrection? ([45:05])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Art in Faith
Art has the unique ability to convey deep spiritual truths and challenge us to reflect on our own faith and actions. Fritz Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" is a powerful example of this, as it depicts Jesus with African American features, emphasizing His identification with the oppressed. This piece, created during the Civil Rights Movement, serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering and social justice issues that Jesus stood for. Art can be a medium through which we encounter and engage with these profound themes, prompting us to consider how our faith intersects with the realities of our world. [35:41]
Isaiah 53:2-3 (ESV): "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Reflection: How does Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" challenge your understanding of Jesus' identification with the oppressed? Can you think of other works of art that have similarly impacted your faith journey?
Day 2: Jesus and the Oppressed
James Cone's theology emphasizes that Jesus' mission is deeply intertwined with the plight of the oppressed. By identifying with those who suffer, Jesus offers a message of hope and liberation that is as relevant today as it was in His time. Cone's book "God of the Oppressed" uses Eichenberg's "Black Crucifixion" as its cover art, highlighting the theme that Jesus' suffering and resurrection offer liberation from systemic oppression. This understanding calls us to recognize and address the injustices in our world, following Jesus' example of solidarity with the marginalized. [38:30]
Luke 4:18-19 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in addressing systemic oppression in your community? How can you embody Jesus' mission of hope and liberation for the oppressed?
Day 3: The Suffering Servant
Jesus often described Himself using the "suffering servant" passages from Isaiah, highlighting His role in suffering with and for humanity. This challenges us to rethink our understanding of power and leadership in the context of faith. True leadership, as exemplified by Jesus, involves humility, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serving others, especially those who are marginalized and suffering. By embracing this model of leadership, we can more fully align our lives with the teachings and example of Jesus. [41:04]
Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: How does the concept of the "suffering servant" challenge your current understanding of leadership and power? What steps can you take to embody this model of leadership in your daily life?
Day 4: Owning the Crucifixion
To fully appreciate the resurrection, we must first own the crucifixion. This means recognizing our own brokenness and the systemic injustices in our world. Only by confronting these realities can we truly celebrate the transformative power of the resurrection. This process involves a deep and honest reflection on our own lives and the ways in which we may contribute to or benefit from systems of oppression. By owning the crucifixion, we open ourselves to the possibility of true transformation and liberation through the resurrection. [45:05]
Romans 6:6-7 (ESV): "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Reflection: What aspects of your life do you need to confront and own in order to fully appreciate the resurrection? How can acknowledging your own brokenness lead to personal and communal transformation?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
As Christians, we are called to engage with the world's brokenness and offer the hope of the resurrection. This involves not only personal reflection but also active participation in social justice, following Jesus' example of suffering with and for others. By living out our faith in tangible ways, we can bring the transformative power of the resurrection to those around us. This means being willing to step into difficult situations, advocate for the marginalized, and work towards creating a more just and compassionate world. [47:02]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: In what specific ways can you live out your faith by engaging with the brokenness in your community? How can you be a source of hope and transformation for those around you?
Quotes
1. "Jesus, whenever he would talk about himself, whenever he would tell the disciples who he was and what he was about, he would pull from scripture. Except he would not pull from scripture those characters who were known as strong or powerful or good looking or any of those kind of things. Jesus would quote from there's about three sections in the book of Isaiah that talk about a character called the suffering servant. When Jesus would describe himself he would pull passages from the suffering servant's passages of Isaiah." [41:04] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "His purpose was to suffer even to the point of death on the cross. His purpose was to relent to the systemic violence of the Roman government. And then to defeat even that through the resurrection. You know the story of the cross is gruesome. It's heavy. full of sorrow. It's full of mourning. All of that stuff that we don't like to deal with. Frankly. We don't like to think about it. But in some way we have to as people of faith find a way to own it. To make it personal for ourselves." [44:17] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We have to own the crucifixion so that we can celebrate in the light of the resurrection. I love this image. Because it helps us to put ourselves at the foot of the cross. That's the appropriate kind of response for us. It doesn't feel good to mourn. We want to sing shout acclamations of joy. There's a time for that. There's a place for that. But we have to own the crucifixion. We have to make that part of our lives." [45:44] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have to recognize that we're broken before we can celebrate the defeat of that brokenness which is the resurrection. Which is our task as Christians and when we can get there then we can face a world where the Holocaust is real. Where civil rights had to be fought for with lives where all kinds of brokenness exists and people are crushed. If we want to speak good news into that world we have to own the crucifixion ourselves." [47:02] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Cone would say because of the suffering that the African American people knew, that they become, through that suffering, through that oppression, they become closer to Christ. That Christ identified with them. He would say for those people in that time, God was black. And would walk with them. In that time of oppression. And then when they can look forward to the time of resurrection and know that their own liberation was coming." [39:43] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The theme of Cone in this book is that the central kernel, the very identity of the gospels is wrapped up in Jesus' identification with the poor and the oppressed. And as Jesus is wrapped up in that systemic oppression that happened in the occupied Israel as Rome ultimately oppressed Jesus and other Jewish people of the time, Cone said this was a time when Jesus would identify with those who were being oppressed, those who were living in poverty, those who were living under the thumb of foreign rule." [38:30] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We have to see how we have been oppressed. How we have joined with a broken world as it has sinned the best sins it could ever think of. We have to make our place there so that then we can receive the grace the unmitigated grace and the good news that is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." [46:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When Jesus talked about himself he spoke about himself as the suffering servant. As the one who would come not to rule with a mighty hand but suffer with the oppressed. And to share grace with those who are hurting in maybe the most catastrophic situation that we could ever kind of conceive of. This is the way that Jesus worked. He was the Messiah the one who would come but he did not quote and nobody before Jesus quoted the suffering servant as a description of who the Messiah would be." [42:58] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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