Am I my brother’s keeper?
This is a very famous and well-known line and one that is so appropriate for today in light of all that is going on in America, especially the injustices toward African-American men. Am I my brother’s keeper?
In the midst of all the political and religious division going on today, I believe this question is very appropriate.
While I would love to think that I have mastered being my brother’s keeper, I know that I can honestly say that I have not fully been my brother’s keeper. Actually, I have failed many times.
One major area that I have failed in is that I have allowed too much suffering to occur without saying anything. Too many times we turn a blind eye because “their” suffering does not affect us. Sometimes, it is just that we do not want to be made uncomfortable by the suffering of others.
I have felt saddened by past events of injustice and have even said a prayer asking God for justice. But that is not being my brother’s keeper.
My brother’s keeper comes from the very first book of the Bible. In Genesis chapter 4 we have the story of Cain and Abel. Both bring an offering to the Lord. Abel’s offering is accepted but Cain’s is not. We are not told why Cain’s offering is rejected but he gets mad that his offering is not accepted.
God challenges Cain about his attitude and gives him a chance to make things right. God always gives us a chance to make things right. Cain does not take the chance and gives into his jealousy of Abel, eventually killing Able.
God then asks Cain where his brother is and Cain’s response becomes the famous line that we all know, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
God wants to know what Cain has done. Again, God gives Cain a chance to make things right. God tells Cain that Abel’s blood cries out from the ground.
I wonder how loudly the blood of victims of injustice speaks to God. If Abel’s blood cried out to God, what about Ahmed Aubrey’s or George Flynn’s blood, or any of the victims of injustice around the world (the hungry in Africa, innocent civilians killed by drone strikes, the religious persecution, the list goes on)?
Am I their keeper? Are you?
Cain was asking God if Abel was his responsibility. I believe that he is being a bit sarcastic with God but it’s a very valid question, especially in light of the New Covenant that we have because of Jesus.
Jesus said that the world will know that we are his disciples by our love for one another. It is easy to love those I go to church with but what about people I do not know? What about the people of the world who suffer injustice? What about people of other cultures that I do not understand? What about victims of injustice that do not affect my life? Do I love them? Do I care about what happens to them?
Can I hear their blood cry out? Am I even listening?
If God hears the blood of the victims (Luke 11:51), shouldn’t I be listening, especially if I pray to become more like Him?
Am I my brother’s keeper?
I believe that we are! But, we (particularly my fellow white Christians) are failing at it. Followers of Christ should be the first to speak out at injustice. We should be the first to come to the aid and comfort of those who have suffered. We are quick to call out persecution when it affects us but not quick enough when it affects others.
Let’s take a look at another passage of the Bible that isn’t quite as famous as Cain’s response to God.
The prophet Micah gives us a very strong word in his short book: He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
God requires three things of us:
- Do justice
- Love kindness (mercy)
- Walk humbly with Him
If I am to be my brother’s keeper then I must become a person of justice. Not justice in the sense of only proving who is right and wrong but in the sense of setting things wrong things right. It does have to do with determining right and wrong, but it goes beyond just a mental ascent of what is right and wrong. We must be sure that we right the wrongs that have been done. We must make sure that those who have suffered receive justice.
Justice involves being sure that the systems that create injustice are dismantled and done away with. It is not just establishing new laws. It is being sure that hearts and minds are changed to see the wrongs and corrected so that they don’t happen again.
When we walk humbly before God then we will love mercy and show kindness. When we show mercy and kindness then we will do the things that justice requires.
If my brother is wronged, then I must speak out.
If a whole culture of people is being victimized I must speak out.
If my favorite people, my preferred political party, or my particular tribe is wrong then I must speak out.
I must add my voice to the blood crying out from the ground.
I believe that God requires it of me, and he requires it of you.
Paul, the great apostle, said that he became all things to all men so that he might win some (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). To become all things to all men I must become responsible to be their keeper, to understand them as I am able, to appreciate them, their culture, and their struggles. I have to identify with them in their humanity.
Isn’t that what Jesus did? He became us to identify with us. He became our keeper. We were the victims of death. We were under the curse of death. Death had its knee on our neck and as a result, we were dead.
Yet, Jesus identified with us, became one of us, and brought justice into our lives. He made things right. And he intercedes (prays) for us still. He is still pleading our case, speaking up for us, being our voice when we do not have one. The Holy Spirit makes groans for us when we don’t have words (Romans 8:26-27).
If I am to emulate him, then I too must become one with the victim. I, too, must learn to be their voice when they have none. I, too, must pray and stand in the gap for those that cannot.
I, must, become my brother’s keeper and take responsibility to leave my place of privilege and become a servant (Phil. 2). I cannot call myself a disciple of Christ if I do not.
I have not been my brother’s keeper as I should have. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do better.
