January 20, 2020 (Monday)
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Dr. King was assassinated at the age of 38 on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, almost 52 years ago. Many people today who range in age from about 57 and younger have no personal memories of their own about him.
I heard Dr. Martin Luther King personally at a meeting of the American Baptist 
Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1964. He preached a great sermon that day. The occasion was a special gathering of many Baptist Denominations, and was billed as “Baptist Jubilee.” Southern Baptists, Northern (American) Baptists, National Baptists and other Baptist groups met simultaneously in the convention complex buildings.
As we entered the front door of that old convention center, each day we passed a small group gathered around the father of Martin Luther King, Jr. He engaged those gathered around him with lively conversation. His confrontational style was different from the passive protests inspired by his son.
The conventions ended, and my friends and I moved on. Subsequent history has proved to most that the 1960s were pivotal in shaping decades of events that followed, including the days in which we are living now.
A serious study of the New Testament will reveal to us that Jesus taught us, by precept and example, to love all people, regardless of their status or lack of it. The Pharisees hated Him because so many of the people were listening to Him and finding acceptance in Him. Plainly, those religious leaders hated Him and that hatred moved them to have Him crucified. The “rest of the story” is that death could not hold Him, and He has changed the world.
The sermon that Dr. King preached on the day we heard him in 1964 was based on the teachings of Jesus and was entitled, “Courage to Love.” If you were asked to give a speech on that subject, where would you start and what would you say?