大象传媒

鈥淓arly evening, April four. A shot rings out in the Memphis sky鈥�. Famous words from the U2 Song 鈥淧ride in the name of love鈥�, reflecting on this day 55 years ago when Martin Luther King was assassinated. That night and for days following, the death of the man who had so passionately championed non-violence provoked some of the worst riots America had ever seen.

It is said that when news reached Memphis鈥� most famous resident, Elvis Presley, he wept uncontrollably. He had met King many times and admired him greatly. And then, through his tears, he started to sing an old hymn, perhaps the only song that was as much treasured by his tradition as by the cause King had died for. 鈥淎mazing Grace! How Sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me鈥�.

Amazing Grace was written almost exactly 250 years ago, and few songs have had such reach and impact across the world. The author, John Newton, was a former slave trader which makes it all the more remarkable that his hymn should become an anthem for the civil rights movement. But Newton knew he had received grace, the undeserved love and mercy of God could transform even a wretch like him. Martin Luther King knew it too, he once preached 鈥淭he whole of life hinges on the ever-flowing power and ever-flowing stream of God鈥檚 grace.鈥� And he knew that when grace is deployed against injustice it is a very powerful weapon, one that can break cycles of hatred and revenge.

Heavenly Father, reveal to us again your Amazing Grace. And help us to be people of grace, to stand for justice and whatever reactions we encounter to always strive to respond with love. AMEN