Jesus, the Ally

Ally - “Someone who makes the commitment and effort to recognize their privilege and power...and to work in solidarity with oppressed groups in the struggle for justice.”* 

I am convinced that I – and we as a people in the collective church in particular – need to be looking - every day and everywhere - for ways to be an ally . ‘Ally’ is a word that has only recently been illuminated, but the truth of allyship is as old as our faith.

Jesus modeled what it means to be an ally. I see this clearly as he so compassionately interacted with the woman caught in adultery and called out those dehumanizing her. Or the hemorrhaging woman, who needed to be heard almost as much as she needed to be healed. He did this countless times in his caring for society’s ignored: lepers, the blind, the deaf, the widow. 

I’ve been soaking up John 5 and I’m struck by the powerful way Jesus advocated for the  paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, and how relevant it is for us. First of all, Jesus noticed him in a crowd. He sought him out. Second, He asked him a question directly  ‘do you want to get well?’ and listened as the man explained how his disability and position kept him from the opportunity he needed to be whole. Third, Jesus restored  his wholeness. The man was now healed in body and able to participate physically in the life he was made for. But in the spirit of God’s desire to do ‘immeasurably more,’ Jesus didn’t leave it there. He again pursued himand told him that being fully alive was a matter of not just body, but of soul and spirit.  Jesus noticed, pursued, asked questions, listened, healed, restored; all so this man could flourish.

I have not experienced the oppression or marginalization that so many in our world have. I’m a woman of European descent and a US citizen of many generations. This heritage affords me undeniable privilege. But even so there have been ways I have received the gift of ally-ship in my role as a woman in a senior leadership position in a multi-national Christian organization. And those allies have been humble men in positions of influence who have intentionally set me up to thrive. 

Sometimes they have been my ally in relatively small ways. In gatherings made up mostly of men, they have affirmed or repeated an idea or statement I’ve offered, emphasizing my contribution. Or if I was the one to run a meeting, they have asked in front of everyone if it’s ok to take the floor. And sometimes it's been in big ways, like arranging for me to address the Board of Trustees to share the vision of the program I oversee. 

These actions  have meant a great deal in my growth as a leader and in my own self worth. In turn, I am very aware of my call to be an ally to others who do not have the same position or privilege I have been given. We are currently in an important time in history and many are taking time to examine inequity in our systems and structures, and to work to change it. And part of that journey means we look at how we ourselves might be contributing to this imbalance. 

I know I have failed at times to notice the marginalized people in the crowd, failed to listen and engage the ones who have been ignored or denied the opportunities to flourish. Living  a life of Christ-like ally-ship means asking who in my sphere I have ignored, avoided, or not  lifted up, intentionally or otherwise. Who has an idea that needs considering, or a story that needs telling? Whose voice needs amplifying? Who deserves a seat at the table, even if offering that seat might mean giving up my own? 

Bottom line: Who needs me to be more like Jesus?

 *Ally definition sourced from Racial Equity Tools