February 25, 2017
Hiram R. Revels, 1st African American member of Congress

On this date, February 25, 1870, Hiram R. Revels is sworn in as the 1st African American member of Congress (Sen-R-MS).

“Hiram R. Revels was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME),a Republican politician, and college administrator. Born free in North Carolina, he later lived and worked in Ohio, where he voted before the Civil War. He became the first African American to serve in the Congress when he was elected to the United States Senate to represent Mississippi in 1870 and 1871 during Reconstruction. During the civil war Revels had helped organize two regiments of the United States Colored Troops and served as a chaplain. After serving in the Senate, Revels was appointed as the first president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University), 1871-1873 and 1876 to 1882. Later he served again as a minister.” (wikipedia)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus performs seven significant miracles that John refers to as “signs.” These signs form the backbone of the first half of the book, and each sign is meant to reveal something about the person of Jesus.

He turns water into wine (John 2:1-11)
He heals the royal official’s son (John 4:46-53)
He heals on the Sabbath – a man ill for 38 years by the Sheep Gate (John 5:1-29)
He feeds the 5000 (John 6:1-14)
He walks on water (John 6:16-24)
He heals the blind man (John 9:1-12)
He raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44)

Jesus is using these moments to teach his disciples, the people of the first century in Palestine, and us today what it means to be the “Messiah” – a different kind of Messiah. He is Lord of the Sabbath. He has authority over nature. He can feed many with a blessing and the help of others. And he has authority over disease and even death itself. Most of his signs were the first of their kind. The blind man says “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.”

Hiram Revels was the first African American member of congress. First he was a pastor in the AME tradition. The he helped form regiments for the United States Colored Troops during the civil war. Finally he was the first president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now called Alcorn State University). Here is a man not afraid to follow his calling in so many areas, and to be a true role model for all of us – a role model for blazing new trails, no matter the difficulties or road blocks. I like to imagine if we asked Hiram where he found the courage and the strength, he would say “The Lord provided”.

My prayer for you today is that you have the courage to follow your passions, live out your dreams, and listen to where G-d is calling you. Hopefully G-d will lead you to many “firsts” in your life as well.

Pastor Dave