Isaiah 61

Rev. Dr. Delroy Reid Salmon at the 9^th Annual George Liele Lecture outlined three criteria that Sam Sharpe in the 19^th century required his followers to have.  The first was Solidarity that is, the individual had to be committed to the cause and had to be a part of the cause.

So this begs the question, what cause is we committed to today in the 21^st century?  Are we just content to live on the legacy that others have left for us but leave none for the generations following us?  Let us reflect up what our heroes like Samuel Sharpe died for and seek to resist the temptation to be content with our present state.   Without knowledge and vision we will perish.   Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s words from the grave calls us to attention: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”.

Therefore in this Heritage week let us reflect on the foundations of our faith and seek to advance the cause of justice, equality and freedom. Let us seek out those who are bound, brokenhearted and poor and in darkness.   God Almighty empowers us with his Spirit Sovereign LORD, because the LORD has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1).

So this week let us be willing to run our leg in the race and to follow Jesus who paid the ultimate price so that whosoever believe in him should not perish but have everlasting and abundant life.  Let us search this week for those who need us to lift them up and put them in a spacious place even if it will cost us.

Prayer

Lord may we never forget the sacrifices the generations that have gone on before made for us and may we be willing to make the sacrifices for those who will come behind us.  May we never forget your finished work on the cross that forever brought us redemption.  IN Jesus.  Amen