The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked a worldwide response. Within 24 hours of invading, 1,844 protestors across 60 Russian cities were detained, with over 1,000 people held in Moscow alone, according to OVD Info, a civil rights group that monitors rallies and arrests in Russia.
A Christian Response
Christians should be at the forefront of protests in Russia and in every city across the globe. Here’s why.
1. Many of the suffering Ukrainians are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother'” (Mark 3:33–35, NIV).
Ukraine is home to an estimated 35 million Christians. These Christians work and serve together to make the world a better place. They support missionaries in Poland, Latvia, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Egypt, Ecuador, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, China, and Thailand.
Ukrainian Christian leaders are now organizing care centers in more than 25 regions to serve the needs of their fellow citizens. They are unified, working tirelessly to respond to the overwhelming humanitarian crisis caused by the unprovoked attack of Russia.
Jesus taught that when you become a Christian, your ties of affection are increased to include all other Christians. Every Christian woman is now your sister. Every Christian man is now your brother.
2. Ukraine was promised our support.
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37, NIV).
In August of 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from what was then the collapsing Soviet Union. Ukraine suddenly found itself independent and the third-largest nuclear power in the world. Thousands of nuclear arms had been stationed on its soil by Moscow, and they were still there.
In December 1994, Ukraine made the decision to denuclearize completely. In exchange, it would get a security guarantee from the U.S., the U.K., and Russia. The document promised security against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
The Budapest Memorandum which guaranteed those protections has been violated (this isn’t the first time). However, if we turn a deaf ear to the cries of the Ukrainians, we will be just as guilty of violating the agreement as are the Russians.
I know what you’re thinking. The U.S. has violated more treaties than we can count. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to reprimand Russia for doing what we have done on a regular basis?
Perhaps, but two wrongs don’t make a right.
We should hold our own government accountable whenever we violate our promises. We should recognize our own shortcomings, repent, make amends, and strive to do better in the future.
Our checkered history, however, doesn’t eradicate the promises we made to Ukraine. Jesus taught us that we should always be true to our word.
3. Innocent people are dying at the hands of a greedy oppressor.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted … Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:4, 6, 9, NIV).
I don’t want to leave the impression that we should only care about the Christians of Ukraine (see #1 above). The Christian ethic demands that we love all people, no matter their gender, race, or religious affiliations. We love people because each person contains the image of God and is precious in His sight.
Why is Putin invading Ukraine? Although the Russian-Ukrainian relationship is complex and filled with history, three factors seem to compel Putin to seize Ukrainian territory and resources.
- He has a desire to return Russia to a semblance of military and political status it occupied during the Cold War. Lust for power.
- He desperately needs Ukrainian resources, especially their warm-water ports. Selfish greed.
- He has placed his military into a situation from which there is no turning back. Stubborn pride.
Putin’s pride, greed, and lust for power are killing thousands of innocent men, women, and children. Jesus was always on the side of the oppressed. He was consistently attacking the oppressor.
Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount opens with three major Christian attributes.
- Blessed are those who are not afraid to feel and whose hearts break over the things that break the heart of God (Matt. 5:4).
- Blessed are those who champion that which is right and true (Matt. 5:6).
- Blessed are those who strive for peace (Matt. 5:9).
In his inaugural sermon at Nazareth, Jesus opened the scroll of Isaiah and read:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19, NIV).
Jesus came to set us free from the chains of the oppressor. His disciples rejoice knowing that Jesus never sleeps or slumbers and will always be with us as we fight for justice and truth.
