Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Tonight marks the anniversary of the crossing of the Red Sea by the ancient Israelites. I’m hardly the first to connect Dr King’s life and legacy with the Biblical telling of the Exodus from Egypt. Dr King himself often alluded to the Exodus in his sermons and talks, most famously in his last recorded remarks offered the night before his death in Memphis, Tennessee. That final sermon began with a recollection of “God’s children in their magnificent trek from the dark dungeons of Egypt through, or rather across the Red Sea, through the wilderness on toward the promised land…” and it concluded, famously and hauntingly, with these words: “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!”
Taylor Branch‘s celebrated three volume biography of King and history of the Civil Rights Movement makes the same analogy. Just follow the titles of his books: ‘Parting the Waters,’ Pillar of Fire,’ and ‘At Canaan’s Edge.’ And my teacher, Michael Walzer’s brilliant study ‘Exodus and Revolution’ charts the ways in which western revolutionary movements, including Civil Rights in America in the 20th century, frequently adopt the language of, and actually follow the trajectory of the Bible’s tale of suffering, struggle and redemption. Walzer concludes his essay with a description of ‘what the Exodus first taught…about the meaning and possibility of politics’ – ‘first, that where you live, it is probably Egypt; – second, that there is a better place, a world more attractive, a promised land; – and third, that “the way to the land is through the wilderness.” There is no way to get from here to there except by joining together and marching.’
[ Dura Europos Synagogue, fresco, 2nd Century C.E. ]
Crossing the Sea happened just days after the Exodus itself. In Jewish practice we commemorate the Exodus at Seder and the Sea on the 7th (and biblically speaking final) day of the Festival. The trek ‘through the wilderness on toward the promised land’ takes much longer. That’s what Dr King, even on his last night on earth, understood and meant to convey. Fifty years later we remain ‘At Canaan’s Edge’ still ‘joining together and marching’ in search of, in hope of, in anticipation of the promised land. Dr King, like Moses, saw it; and like Moses, he didn’t get there. Neither have we. The need to join together and march remains; the struggle, of necessity, continues. Dr King’s assurance – that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! – also remains and continues.
Tonight, as we cross the Sea, we honor the memory of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. remembering together that next year we will sit down to Seder to reenact the Exodus and will, seven days later, trek through/across the Red Sea yet again. The journey toward the Promised Land continues, and will continue, until we, as a people, finally get there. Something tells me that on that day, Dr King, and Moses our Teacher, and many others besides, will be there to welcome us.
[ Collegiate Church of San Gimignano, Italy, fresco, completed 1356 ]
