WORD OF THE WEEK
IT was in September 2016 that an American footballer, Colin Kaepernick took the knee, as a protest against racial inequality and police brutality.
The name of the originator has subsequently been largely forgotten, but the act of taking the knee has spread and increased in significance.
We may remember how the England football team took the knee before they played a match in the 2021 European
Cup competition – and not without controversy, but on some occasions with very obvious booing.
The International Olympic Committee also had to debate the matter, and determined that taking the knee would be permitted, but only before a game began.
In the world of 2021 sport, taking the knee is a clear protest by the sports players themselves.
The spectators are only called to observe – though they may fully agree with the expression of support for racial equality.
However, in other situations taking the knee is a sign of deference and respect, and it is what we ourselves do.
Whatever the situation is though, it is an act that does not always feel in tune with the culture of the 21st Century. It is not meant to.
It is in the sense of deference, that many Christians have taken and will take the knee in worship.
The apostle Paul told the Christian community at Philippi that it will be at the name of Jesus that every knee shall bow. This will be a sign of approval and honour.
It is a cause of deep sadness that our footballers in particular still see the necessity to take the knee – for them as a sign of protest and accusation.
It is to be hoped that there will be a time when their act of protest is no longer necessary.