Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Death

The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although I am white and my life started a decade after the civil rights movement, I still have a deep and abiding respect for Martin Luther King. There has been much talk of "Black Liberation Theology" recently, (especially in light of the vitriolic words of Obama's pastor) and at one time, I must admit, I wondered if Martin Luther's interpretation of the Bible was grounded more in politics than in a relationship with Jesus Himself. However, after reading a book that contained the story of his life, along with the transcript of many of his speeches, I came to believe that, unlike few men this country has ever seen, he truly understood the heart of Jesus' message of unconditional love and servanthood. His message was not based on "What can we get out of our adversaries," but on truly laying down one's life for one's neighbor.

The night before he died, (40 years ago today), he gave a speech to striking sanitation workers, in which he fearlessly proclaimed that, like Moses, even if he didn't make it to the Promised Land, he had "made it to the mountaintop", a his "eyes had seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Luckily, Martin Luther lived at during the beginning of the televised era, and you can watch a video clip, as well as listen to the entire speech, on AmericanRhetoric.com. It still gives me chills every time I listen to the speech. Here's an excerpt:

And they were telling me --. Now, it doesn't matter, now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us. The pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."

And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?
Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.

And I don't mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

And so I'm happy, tonight.
I'm not worried about anything.
I'm not fearing any man!
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!