It was today, 40 years ago, that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. In his final speech he eluded to his own death. Rev. Jesse Jackson receives more than his fair share of criticism, but I was particularly moved by him in an interview with the Associated Press on yesterday (40 Years Later: Jackson remembers MLK—Thu Apr 3, 2008 10:35 AM EST).

Rev. Jackson gave me great pause when he spoke about Rev. King processing his own death. “We had no idea how much pain and death consideration he was internalizing. How much more he knew than we knew about the threats.” King received death threats in a continuous stream. In his first interview after President Kennedy’s assassination he said he accepted that he too may meet the same fate. Even a person given a dire medical report at least knows what is going to cause their demise. Dr. King knew death was coming, but had no idea when or by what violent method.

What a Godly courage—to live each moment expecting someone to kill you. Most of us could not function under the pressure, much less lead a movement. Dr. King ended his final speech with, “I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord.” King decided not to live in fear.

At the end of yesterday’s spot, Rev. Jackson broke down, as he and Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles were standing on the balcony where King was assassinated. Jackson ended with these powerful words, “You try to remember but not to think because the trauma, the suddenness, the impact.” As the tears began to flow he continued, “He was only 39 years old and they killed him. I mean, he, he was trying to create peace. They blew him away. 39 years old and they didn’t have to kill him. Its not right. They didn’t have to kill him. I don’t come back much. Its hard to take, it’s a lot to take. It’s a lot to take.”

Saints and friends let us remember Rev. Jackson’s words. Let us not forget that Dr. King was only 39 years old when he was assassinated. A young man on the forefront of a national movement with international renown. Oh glory! We should take pause today. In fact we should take pause for the next week or two to really reflect on King’s legacy. If you don’t have any books on or by King, go purchase them or at least go to the library. Listen to, read, and view some of his speeches and sermons. Think on him and what we can do to KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE. But even more so TO BRING IT TO PASS. May God bless his spirit. May God bless us all.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Reverend George Hubert Latimer-Knight
Written April 4, 2008 at age 26