Haili Church Hoku: "Freedom Lost and Found"

 "Freedom Lost and Found"

This month marks the sad anniversary of two tragic events. On January 17, 1893 Queen Lili'uokalani abdicated her rule of the Kingdom of Hawaii to a "Provisional Government" backed by a force of U.S. Marines. This act was clearly an unjust violation of the independence of a free nation. The lament of the deposed Queen, written to Christians in America in 1898, sounds hauntingly prophetic: "The people to whom your fathers told of the living God, and taught to call 'Father,' and whom the sons now seek to despoil and destroy, are crying aloud to Him in their time of trouble; and He will keep His promise, and will listen to the voices of His Hawaiian children lamenting for their homes."

On January 22, 1973 millions of American children lost their freedom. By decree of the Supreme Court in their "Roe v. Wade" decision, unborn children lost their personhood and are now legally torn from their mother's wombs as unwanted fetal tissue. On average, four babies lose their life in Hilo every week; more than four thousand every day across America; MORE THAN ONE BABY EVERY SECOND IS BEING KILLED AROUND THE WORLD BY ABORTION!

Is there a "Christian" response to injustice? The problem of the land-grabbing Marines, and their supporters, of one hundred years ago is the same as today's abortionist. A professor of mine used to say, "The heart of the problem, is the problem of the heart."

Jesus came to a Judea which was unjustly occupied by a hostile Roman government. Some Jewish "zealots" hailed his coming to lead their vindication. Indeed his mother, the Virgin Mary, sang of His mission: "He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1.51-53). Zechariah sang of "salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us" (Luke 1.71). Yet Jesus died a victim of Roman tyranny. As He hung in naked execution, all his followers ran in terror, thinking his mission a failure. God responds to injustice by the unjust execution of His Son, His blood fell like seeds of a just new order - the kingdom of God.

From the perspective of Christ's ascension, we see the impact of His revolution, His kingdom.  The Roman empire is now a subject for ancient historians. Today the Church of Jesus Christ grows around the world. While ministering on earth, Jesus called people to enter His kingdom, through repentance and faith. He did not ignore their physical, emotional, even political needs - nor should we - but his focus was on their relationship with God, their "heart." Avoiding a political debate over Pilate mixing the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices, Jesus got to the ultimate issue, "Unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13.3). Our primary political task is the Gospel of His Kingdom. Only in Christ can anyone be truly free. In Him we labor in hope, "with justice he judges and makes war" (Revelation 19.11).                                 

Kahu Mark Blair