Hello Saints,
I come home this past Sunday evening from an annual men’s retreat event that I participate in the last weekend of August every year in Glenwood, Arkansas. Upon my return, Suzie (my bride) informed me that the gentleman who starred as “The Black Panther” (Chadwick Boseman) had died. I was shocked. I said, “how did he die?” Suzie said, “he died from stage IV colon cancer.”
That was upsetting news to hear because one of my favorite aunts passed away in her 70’s from stage IV colon cancer. It is baffling because colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers there is if detected in time.[1] They have moved the age from 50 to 45 to have your first colonoscopy.[2] Let me encourage you to be checked for everything necessary at the appropriate age brackets. It’s similar to the maintenance program for your car. After so many miles, you have to start having checkups, and if you don’t, there is a hefty price to be paid.
Chadwick Boseman was not only the Black Panther, but he was a believer. He was our sibling and one of God’s kids, making a difference in the kingdom. Boseman was a man who followed Jesus as a child until his death, using his wisdom, experience, strength, and hope throughout his successful but short-lived career as an actor. He blessed many because of his faith. All the while, as he was dying, and few knew of it, he was focused on how he could bless others. Friends, that is what living the kingdom life looks like in action. Boseman was an authentic kingdom superhero.
Boseman, who also portrayed baseball great Jackie Robinson, civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall, and singer/dancer James Brown, died at age 43 on Friday (August 28) after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. He died on “Jackie Robinson Day” how miraculous is that!
Chadwick Boseman was a man on a mission. He left a lasting impression wherever he went and whenever he was asked to speak. Boseman was privileged to give the commencement speech at Howard University in 2018, which was his alma mater, and where his faith poured from his heart to his lips.[3] He demonstrated his kingdom character by the roles he took on, addressing systemic racism and the stereotypes he had to confront. When you watch him on the big screen, you witness his faith in action.
“After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him,” said “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler in a statement. “Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity, and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering. He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art.”[4]
Boseman was deeply committed to his faith. His childhood pastor, Pastor Samuel Neely, back home in South Carolina, said, “He did a lot of positive things within the church and within the community.” Pastor Neely shared these remarks with a local TV station right before the premiere of the “Black Panther.”[5] Boseman was raised as a Christian and was baptized. He was part of a church choir and youth group, and his former pastor said that he still kept his faith. Boseman had stated that he prayed to be the Black Panther before he was cast as the titular character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[6]
“SHOW HIM WHO YOU ARE” is the famous quote shouted to T’Challa (played by Boseman) from his mother, Ramonda, (played by Angela Bassett). She starred as T’Challa and Shuri’s mother and also the Queen Mother of Wakanda.[7] There was an intense battle scene where T’Challa looked like he could be defeated, but his mother shouted to him, “SHOW HIM WHO YOU ARE.” She did so with the same intensity that Mickey Goldmill yelled out to Rocky, when he said, “Get Up You SOB ‘Cause Mickey Loves Ya” in the major motion picture “Rocky.” (Burgess Meredith) played Mickey Goldmill, and (Sylvester Stallone) played Rocky. This powerful quote pretty much sums up the career of Chadwick Boseman. He showed the world who he was and that my friends was a child of the One True King. Boseman showed the world who Jesus is by living out the kingdom life.
The movie “The Black Panther” drove thousands of kingdom people to the box office to view the film and experience the kingdom message embedded throughout the script. This film is the first motion picture that portrays the African American community experiencing a sense of equality. I loved the realness of the movie because the producers of the film brought out the struggle that absolute power has always presented to humankind, not just with the black and white people portrayed in the movie, but all people. There are many references to systemic racism, oppression, colonizing, and social injustice throughout the film. You have to have your spiritual glasses on to receive the many messages this movie presents. If you have not taken the time to watch “The Black Panther,” then please do everyone a favor and watch it, and watch it more than once. There are many lessons and blessings throughout the movie.
In the last several days, I have read many articles and quotes from people from all walks of life commenting on the impact Chadwick Boseman left on them and the world. One of those impacted by the movie was Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, which was one of the black churches that screened the film and even created a small group study to go with it. TUCC’s pastor, Pastor Otis Moss III, who I have had the privilege to meet on a few occasions while attending Proctor Conferences in Tennessee and Virginia, created a memorial video for Chadwick Boseman. The video features Rev. Otis Moss III reading an epic poem titled “Forever,” written by Leslé Honoré. You can check the video out by clicking “HERE.”[8]
The kingdom life shouts at every one of us living as kingdom people those same inspiring words that T’Challa received from his mother Romanda, but with a supernatural twist that goes like this, “SHOW THE WORLD WHO YOU ARE.” We are “Kingdom People Helping People Find and Follow Jesus.” Since we are a blessed people, we must become a blessing to others. Chadwick Boseman gave of himself until his death by sharing and caring for others. Two years ago, the Avenger star visited some of the children at St. Jude’s hospital, many of which have cancer. The same condition that has taken many people I love, including my mother in 2015. If you are an adult, then you know countless people who have been hit hard by cancer. The tweet below is from St. Jude’s hospital, tweeted shortly after “The Black Panther” visited the hospital,
“It’s not every day that St. Jude gets a visit from an Avenger! Thank you, @ChadwickBoseman, for stopping by to bring joy to our patients and learn more about our lifesaving mission! ” the St. Jude Children’s Hospital tweeted on September 12. 2018.”[9]
As we look around the world today, we witness COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on the human race. We notice the division in our country between political parties, who no longer view each other as opponents, but rather enemies, friends that is scary. There is a cold civil war brewing on many fronts, and as kingdom people, we must take the lead by living a Jesus looking life. By bringing hope and light into such a dark and scary world. We must learn to take the “Great Commission” seriously, and pray for, love on, and serve everyone in our midst, including our enemies (Matthew 5:44-47).[10]
There is hope for American, and there is hope for the world. Jesus told us, “NO ONE KNOWS,” the day or the hour the Son of man will return, not even the Son, Matthew 24:36-44,1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 21:12-22. Our job as kingdom people is to help usher in the kingdom of God until the Son of man returns to help bring forth heaven on earth. As with any other time in history, now more than ever, we need to up our kingdom game, get focused, get committed through prayer, meditation, love, and service, by doing our part and allowing God to do His part. “The Black Panther” is a fictional movie, but the character’s message is real. There has always been evil and injustice in the world; the bible makes that clear. But the bible also makes it clear that God’s character, revealed to us through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ, is centered on justice, righteousness, and peace. As kingdom people, we are to model the life and character of Jesus, so we must be focused on bringing justice, righteousness, and peace to the part of the world where we are privileged to dwell. So let me close with this statement, “SHOW THEM WHO YOU ARE.” Visualize God shouting those words to you from heaven. Now it’s up to you what you will do with God’s spiritual commands; please choose wisely.
Shalom,
Pastor Harold Long
[1] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
[2] https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/american-cancer-society-updates-colorectal-cancer-screening-guideline.html#:~:text=New%20screening%20age%20recommendations%20for,through%20the%20age%20of%2075.
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGYaDEs-K3I
[4] https://www.indiewire.com/2020/08/ryan-coogler-chadwick-boseman-statement-epic-firework-display-1234583421/
[5] https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/anderson-native-chadwick-boseman-stars-as-the-black-panther-local-pastor-reacts/article_ab12e578-8732-5f6f-b778-9a949fa8ed35.html
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chadwick_Boseman
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRTX22lXAIY&feature=youtu.be
[9] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chadwick-boseman-visited-children-cancer-while-waging-private-battle-disease-n1238798
[10] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A44-47&version=MSG,
Marty says
Thank you for sharing this. I wasn’t aware of his devotion to God. Blessings to you and family.
Harold Long says
Thank you, Marty. Your kingdom family misses you and Donna, and hope that God is doing amazing things through the both of you on your spiritual mission.