Last night, I stayed up late, reviewing videos and images of looters pillaging and burning the city I work in every day; of banks, businesses and neighborhoods I walk through regularly; of  the community I have served professionally for the past two decades.

How you see these images likely depends on who you are.

Some see thugs and criminals taking advantage of the situation, others see the justified actions of frustrated people who have been abused by systemic racism, corrupt law enforcement and greedy corporations. Many of the people who live in these impoverished neighborhoods — already limited on options and short on hope, who have seen their community decline for decades, are appalled at the violence and destruction. Those who protest injustice peacefully, are equally frustrated by actions damaging to their cause. There might be elements of truth to all of these perspectives.

While there is value in understanding the situation, what I am most concerned about is how Jesus sees the situation.

How does He see the mobs looting, the passionate protesting, or the communities of color grieving?

Jesus knows what an angry mob looks like, and He knows injustice all too well.

Luke 4 tells the story of Jesus’ first encounter with an angry mob. They tried to kill him and throw him off a cliff.

Three years later, on Palm Sunday, Jesus was the most popular guy in Jerusalem — that is, until a week later, when these fans turned into a mob, and demanded that he be murdered, despite being an innocent man (Luke 23:21).

While Jesus lie dying, unjustly on the cross, he had these words for the angry mob and those who crucified him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).

Violence and theft are not justifiable. Neither is the murder of an innocent man. Neither is racism. That should be obvious.

But Jesus isn’t in the business of speaking to the obvious — He is in the business of piercing the darkness.

You see, the real issue wasn’t whether what was happening was right or wrong — it was lostness. 

Jesus saw past the actions of the mob — right into their hearts.

These were a lost people, a broken people, a confused people — exactly the type that Jesus came to seek and to save. Exactly the type, that he was dying for on the cross as he spoke these words.

As humans and citizens its ok to have an opinion — even a strong one, even one that conflicts with those around you.

The problem is — Jesus isn’t calling us to be human, He is calling us to be His.

As Christ followers – if that’s what we truly are, we must surrender our opinions to be swallowed up and transformed by the love and grace of Christ.

Galatians 2:20 puts it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Jesus knows the mob all too well. He also knows injustice. But he came to seek out and to save these people. If we are going to be on mission with Him — this is what we must be about as well.

If that’s not your heart — than its time for that part of your heart to die, if you are to truly follow Jesus.

If you belong to Jesus and claim to follow Him — be slow to speak — and quick to pray.

Ask Him to transform your heart to align with His.
Ask Him to show you how He would use you, to have a heart of compassion, and seek and save the lost.

When it comes to those who are grieving and upset about injustice — we are called to “…weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Invite people to weep with you in your grief, and be willing to step inside the grief of those outside of your own community.

May we have a heart of compassion and love for those around us — and seek to be transformed by the person of Christ in our inner being, and on His mission to seek and save those who are lost.