At the Cross
By Rev. Barry Settle, Contributing Writer
John 19:26 says, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’” It’s at the cross where we witness the aftermath of the power struggle by Pilate and the leading priests on the exact wording of the sign to be posted. It’s at the cross where we see a distribution of Jesus’ garments between the soldiers who crucified our Savior; and because of the fine garments worn, they cast lots for His robe. It’s at the cross where we see a grieving mother, witnessing all these acts and has to watch the cruelty of how her son is hanging on the cross, suffering and dying.
Merriam-Webster defines grief as a deep and poignant distress. Our mothers, who are raising our children (many without help from fathers), are grieving because their children are victimized by a society that can’t seem to handle the responsibility of protecting and serving when it comes to our young black men, women, and communities. Protecting and serving has turned into “reasonable and justified” assault and homicide too often of our young black men.
I can’t help but think of the grieving mothers like Sandra Sterling, the woman (aunt) who raised Alton Sterling, who was shot three times in the chest by Baton Rouge officers while he was on the ground. I thought about her grief when the Attorney General declared that no charges would be filed against two Baton Rouge police officers after an investigation determined that the shootings were “justified.”
I can’t help but think about Sequita Thompson, who recounted her terror and grief when gunfire rocketed through her backyard as police fired 23 rounds on her unarmed 23-year old grandson, Stephon Clark. They thought he was armed but found out what he had was an iPhone.
I can’t help but think of the grief of Lesley McSpadden (Mike Brown), Sybrina Fulton (Trayvon Martin), Gwen Carr (Eric Garner), and Samaria Rice (Tamir Rice). They are all mothers whose sons were unarmed and killed.
Our society is now transformed. We are accustomed to “Stand your Ground” laws and reasonable and justified action that basically say, “If threatened by an unarmed black man, you can shoot and get away with murder,” being acquitted of all charges with the current laws in place.
I think of all the mothers who grieve their sons who’ve been victims of violence in America. Society has developed into one where victims grieve daily at the cruelty of evil and unjust systems in society.
Jesus is aware of our grief. Cast all your anxiety upon him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). It is at the cross where we also see a dying Jesus who is compassionate enough to provide for the needs of his grieving mother.
Let us remain confident that just as Christ provided what Mary needed, Christ will provide what we need in this fight for justice and change in the systems of this country. May we keep fighting this fight.
Pastor Barry Settle is a Southern California-native raised in Los Angeles. Pastor Barry earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from California State University Los Angeles; Master of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas; and Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He serves as the pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church in Riverside, California. Under his pastorate, he has developed thriving ministries for youth, men, and marriages as well as led retreats that have spiritually transformed the lives of many who have attended.
