"Crucify Him": Remembering Charlie Kirk
“When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. That’s when civil war happens.”Charlie Kirk
The week of Charlie Kirk’s brutal assassination, a few days earlier, I read the chapter of Matthew 27. What stood out to me was the act of cowardice and fear carried out by Pilate. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea who ruled over the trial of Jesus and was ultimately responsible for his crucifixion. Pilate had a duty; he was given authority to act and rule justly. To speak the truth and stop the violence that was about to occur. Yet, he allowed his fear of the crowd to silence his voice and strip him of his power. From that moment on, Pilate became the enemy’s puppet. The Bible says, “He knew” the crowd was wrong and they were acting on self-interest, that their argument was a matter of opinions, and they would not be satisfied until Jesus was condemned.
“Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” Still, Pilate chose the comfort of men. After I learned about Charlie’s murder, I immediately searched him up. I had never heard of him before, but something struck me. I knew this was an act of evil and hatred. There were various takes on social media, many opinionated versions in short format of “Crucify Him.” I wondered what the man had done to evoke such an inhumane response. The answer: He spoke the truth, he stood on the word of God and lived on biblical principles, he shared the gospel with fervor, without restraint or apologies.
He was a bold man of God, carrying out the will and purpose of God. On September 10, I decided not to be another Pilate due to the fear of men and for the sake of fitting in. I researched Charlie’s videos, watched the complete footage, and did not rely on a small snippet to form my idea. Pilate did not investigate; I see the same pattern in the church. Instead of being educated on what Charlie actually stood for, the church and many pastors and leaders are choosing to believe the lie, to please the crowd and satisfy the crowd’s anger with either silence or acceptance. My spirit has been grieved as I’ve wondered when our skin color and opinions came before Biblical truth? Many are in error. Before I am an African American woman, I am a Christian. Before my take on politics, I am a Christian. God’s word stands above anyone else’s.
The Bible says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” Matthew 24:35, NKJV). As a church, as the body of Christ, may we stand for the truth and not join the angry crowd shouting, “Crucify him.” God commands that we live in truth (2 Timothy 2:15). So yes, Charlie was a martyr as Stephen in the Bible was (Acts 7:54-60) for being a truth teller. Yes, he deserves to be grieved (we don’t idolize him, we honor him for standing up for righteousness), and his murder was a pure act of wickedness. I pray that God’s church will wake up, be educated on the Bible, and on matters that plague our world. We have been quiet long enough, standing to the side because we love the crowd, but Jesus already told us that because they hated him, they will hate us too (John 15:18). My last point is that there is space to repent, God does have mercy. He gave Pilate space to follow the truth. Before Pilate made his final decision to have Jesus crucified, his wife warned him. “While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” Matthew 27:19 (NIV). Pilate refused to listen to wisdom, to mercy, and let himself be convinced by the chief priests and elders. Today, choose who you will serve: Jesus or the crowd? Jesus or your skin color? Jesus or your family? Jesus or your fear? I have been lit up with fire to become louder, bolder, and more radical for my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I am willing to lose the crowd because of it. Like Charlie said, “Courage is a choice.”
Rest in Heaven, Charlie Kirk, and well done! I will continue to pray for Mrs. Erika and her beautiful children.
Be Encouraged,
Love Monica
