This one was difficult to write but I share it with you because I believe an important part of working in a country is to understand the history of the area. History provides the context for understanding spiritual strongholds, cultural idols and systemic issues that keep people oppressed and restrained from responding to life in Jesus.
History can also provide an opportunity to grieve, confess and repent.
Today I traveled with 5 Ghanaian friends to visit Cape Coast Castle on the coast of Ghana. Millions of Africans passed through “The Door of No Return” at Cape Coast in chains and shackles, en route to slavery in the United States, South America and the Caribbean. Untold thousands died at Cape Coast under inhumane conditions while they awaited transport.
It was deeply troubling to walk across the auction floor where fellow human beings were stripped of their dignity as they were sold to the highest bidder. It was disturbing to walk through the cell where male slaves, deemed troublemakers, were entombed in darkness without food, water, or air until they took their last breath.
However, it was gut-wrenching to visit the church that is part of the complex and to realize all the evil that had been perpetrated in Jesus’ name for 150 years.
A church building was built on top of one of the dungeons, where 250 African men were held captive below. These men were held in chains in dark, cramped conditions with only enough food and water to keep them alive before they were sold into slavery.
And just above the surface of that dungeon, separated by only a few meters of rock and concrete, worship services were held to celebrate the goodness and freedom found in Jesus. With the minimal amount of space that separated the sanctuary from the dungeon, it seems impossible to me that the cries of the slaves would not have reached the ears of the worshippers as they gathered.
One of my friends was so disturbed by the image that he asked the guide the following question,
“Are you sure that these were Bible believing Christians who gathered here for worship?
The guide’s response was, “We know that this was an Anglican congregation that used the Book of Common Worship, sang hymns and read the Scriptures together.”
It stung me so deep. How could it be that these Christians 300 years ago could ignore so much suffering under their feet while they sang hymns, participated in liturgy, and studied the Bible together? How could multitudes of fellow human beings created in God’s image be held in chains around them while they celebrated the eucharist together?
But then the sting went even deeper for me. How easy is it for me to tune out the vast suffering of those in need while I worship Jesus? How easy is it for me to quickly read past Isaiah’s words without allowing them to captivate my heart and mind, “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loosen the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?” (Isaiah 58)
Or The Psalmist’s words “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82).
Or Jesus words which He proclaimed as His mission “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” (Luke 4).
It is easy for me to focus on my own blessings while forgetting the call that God placed on Abraham (and you and me) that we are blessed so that we can be a blessing.
It is easy for me to ignore injustice in the world around me while I try to focus my worship on Jesus.
May we learn from the sins of our ancestors. And may we change direction, and both see the suffering around us and deliver Jesus’ mercy to those in need.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
