On Sunday, Feb. 1, I went to the District Cinema to see “King In The Wilderness.” The movie was presented free of charge as part of Dream Week activities and is a 2018 documentary on the last years of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. I really appreciated that it was presented through the lens of those who were working with him at that time. I heard their perspectives of the times, the work for equity, and the forces that pulled against Martin as he tried to fight for all people who were being oppressed.

Early on in the film, someone quoted this African proverb: “If the surviving lions don’t tell their stories, then the hunters will get all the credit.” I was so struck by it that I pulled out my phone and typed it into my notes.

You may be asking yourself what this African proverb has to do with Christianity and Footsteps To Follow. Think about it.

If Mary Magdelene had not told the disciples about her encounter with Christ at the empty tomb, who would have told the story? If the apostles had stayed locked behind the doors of the upper room, who would have told the story? If the apostles had just returned to fishing, tax collecting, and their other vocations, who would have told the story? Would the work and death of Christ just have been a blip in the history of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem? Would it even have been worth a blip since it was just the crucifixion of another criminal of that time? What would the story of the hunters be if it were the prominent narrative? Where would we as Christians be? Would we exist at all?

The apostles were commanded to make disciples of all nations while Christ was alive (Matthew 28:19). He sent them out that they might experience telling the story of His teachings and the need to love and care for all. Saul was one of the hunters who was set on stopping “the surviving lions” from telling their story. Saul’s goal was to change the narrative by eliminating and intimidating those who were telling “the story.” And yet here we are today. We are the surviving lions of our time, and it is our job to tell the story. It is our responsibility to tell everyone of the profound love that God has for us: a love that is so profound that Christ was given to die for our sins to restore our broken relationship with God. Saul was transformed from hunter to lion in his conversion to Paul. Paul set out to tell the story of Christ and the forgiveness that is found through our faith in Him. Paul took the story of Christ right to the hunters in Rome. Paul ultimately paid the price for telling the story, as did the other apostles, but what is important is that someone else picks up the torch and continues to tell the story of Christ’s love for everyone. As each apostle and disciple through time became silent, a new disciple has stepped up to continue the story with the next generation. That is the call to each of us as Christians.

We need to continue to tell the story. We need to be willing to stand up for the oppressed as Christ did. We need to show love for all people as Christ did. And we need to remind people that they are beloved children of God. Most importantly, we need to remember that everyone has a story that needs to be acknowledged and heard, not erased. They could not erase the work of Christ by crucifying Him. May God be with you as you tell the story of Jesus Christ and His love.

Rev. Carol Johnson serves as pastor for Redeemer Lutheran Church on Washington Boulevard and Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church in Quiggleville.