By Rev. Kevin Burns and Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs
This is an excerpt from the Locked in Solidarity Preaching Guide, which is part of CCDA’s Locked in Solidarity Bundle. Click here to download the bundle and get resources to help you and your community become “Violence Interrupters.”
I was arrested in July of 1992 in Chicago, Illinois, and quickly extradited back to Memphis, Tennessee, where the crime for which I was charged had occurred. In downtown Memphis, just a few blocks from the Mississippi River, standing several stories high, is the notorious Shelby County Jail. Because the jail was located at 201 Poplar Avenue, it was often referred to as the 201, or simply, 201. From July 1992 until my trial in September 1995, I was housed inside the 201. I grew up in West Memphis, Arkansas. On a clear day, looking out the west-facing windows of the 201, you could see West Memphis, Arkansas, just across the river. Seeing my hometown caused great pain in my heart. I missed my family.
At one point inside the 201, I was housed on the sixth floor. If you were going to be incarcerated inside the 201, the sixth floor was the best of the worst. The sixth floor was the educational floor. Rarely did any type of violence occur on the sixth floor. But a prison system based on punitive justice instead of restorative justice is violent by nature. Peace on the inside of any prison is an illusion. Violence is always nearby, and sometimes it explodes.
The sixth floor was composed of eight pods that were divided into three sections and were named by letters of the alphabet. In the first section were A, B, and C pods, three pods that were joined together and were counted as one. In the middle section were the D and E pods. Finally, in the third section were F, G, and H pods. There were no cells on the sixth floor. Each pod was a large room with top and bottom bunks aligned side by side throughout the middle of each pod and along the walls. While I was there, upwards of forty men were housed in each pod. I was in H pod, and my bunk was the last bunk against the wall in the farthest corner of the pod.
One night, three other men and I were sitting on our bunks talking. Sometime around 1:00 a.m., we noticed that our pod was strangely quiet. On most nights, as you tried to sleep, even with the lights off, there was a little chatter. But not tonight. We got up to look around, and to our surprise, everyone was gone! We had been so focused on our conversation that we didn’t realize everyone had gone to another pod. So, we went to investigate. From H pod we walked through G pod, and finally into F pod, where everyone had gathered. There, in F pod, over one hundred men were standing, watching, and doting over two young guys fighting!
As soon as I saw their absolute joy at watching these two young men fight and how they were egging them on, there arose in me a righteous indignation, so much so that even I was surprised when I lifted my voice and yelled, “Hey! Do y’all want to see a fight?” I could feel the authority and power of my voice amplified. It was as if I was speaking through a megaphone. I said it in a way that demanded respect, but not in a way that intimidated anyone into thinking I was ready to fight. Everyone immediately froze. A dead silence fell over the entire pod. The three men that were with me never said a word. But as we moved quickly through the crowd of people, they all began to disperse. Soon we were standing in front of the two men who were fighting. One of them had picked up a chair, intending to hit the other one. But still frozen from my words, he was just standing there with the chair raised over his head and looking at me. I pointed my finger at him as I was approaching and sternly said, “Put it down now!” He quickly obeyed. Now, standing face to face with them, I began to ask, “Men, why are you fighting? You both know you are on the best floor in the jail! Don’t you realize if they catch you fighting, they are going to send you back to the fourth floor where you know ‘It’s on’ every day? If you get sent to the fourth floor you will have to fight and defend yourself daily.”
I then told both to sit down. They sat on one bunk, and I sat on a bunk opposite them. I asked who they were, where they were from, and why they were fighting. We talked for several minutes before I realized one of the guys was the younger brother of one of my best friends in high school. By the end of our conversation, everything had calmed down, and all the pods on the sixth floor returned to a semblance of peace. Violence had been interrupted, at least for now. I know it was only because of the power of the Holy Spirit that such a display of interrupting violence could take place. I gave all glory to God. Having spent the last thirty-plus years in prison, I have learned and been trained in conflict management and have used those skills multiple times. The importance of intervening to prevent violence cannot be overstated.
Interrupting Violence
We live in a violent society. In September of 2024, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions reported that for the third year in a row, firearms were the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the United States. Most gun deaths among this age group were homicides, not accidents. Furthermore, CNN reported there were more school shootings in 2024 (83) than any other year since they began keeping records in 2008.
Experts tell us violent crimes fell significantly between 1993 and 2022. But does that mean we are less violent today than we were decades ago? Violence extends far beyond shootings and other violent crimes.
What do we mean when we say ‘violence?’ Violence is more than physical force—it is psychological and systemic, manifesting in words, actions, and policies that impose control over others.
This year’s Locked in Solidarity theme is Interrupting Violence. This week’s challenge is for all of us to step into the transformative work of interrupting violence. Together, let us disrupt cycles of harm, challenge systems of oppression, and cultivate peace and justice in our communities through intentional acts of restoration and advocacy.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Being a “peacemaker” doesn’t mean you “go along to get along,” or you remain silent to avoid conflict. Quite the contrary! Being a peacemaker means being intentional in seeking reconciliation. Being a peacemaker means intervening to stop the violence. Being a peacemaker means speaking out against strife, conflict, racism, injustice, oppression, and war. Being a peacemaker means, as followers of Jesus, we are willing to get in the middle of violence—even while being locked up on the sixth floor at the notorious 201—to bring peace. This type of peacemaking is costly. This type of peacemaking is godly. This type of peacemaking is what we mean by INTERRUPTING VIOLENCE. Remember, violence can include words, actions, or policies.
Violence Enters the Garden of Eden
One night a man had a dream where he went to heaven to meet with God. During the meeting, God said to the man, “Ask me any question you would like, and I will answer it.” The man thought for a long time and then asked, “Why do You allow so much pain and violence in the world.” God thanked the man and then replied, “I could ask you the same question.” Sometimes we want to blame God for the violence in the world instead of asking what we can do to stop it. God interrupted violence at the cross and then gave us the task of being violence interrupters.
A deep theological and philosophical question is, “What is the origin of evil?” Or, for our purposes during Locked In Solidarity week, “What is the origin of violence?” The Bible gives us insight into how to answer that question.
Genesis tells us God created everything out of nothing. At the end of Creation Week, the Bible records, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). In other words, everything was perfect. Everything was as it should be. There was peace and harmony and wholeness across all of creation. Violence was not part of God’s original plan.
Everything changed in the third chapter of Genesis. By the end of chapter three there is violence and a curse: An animal was killed to make garments for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). A curse, along with a promise, was given in Genesis 3:15 when God said to the serpent, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” The violence intensifies in Genesis four when Cain kills his brother, Abel. Violence has been a part of the human experience ever since! Thomas Jefferson is credited as saying, “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everyone is standing around reloading.”
Genesis tells us the results of what happened—evil and violence entered the world—but Genesis doesn’t tell us how it happened. You must go all the way to the end of the Bible, the book of Revelation, to find out what happened. On your way to Revelation, however, you can make a pit stop at Ezekiel 28:13-19.
Primarily, Ezekiel 28:13-19 is a prophecy about the destruction of the king of Tyre. However, some scholars believe that in the middle of this prophecy, which was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar defeated Tyre (573 B.C.E.), is a description of Satan and what caused him to be thrown out of heaven, resulting in the serpent tempting Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Ezekiel writes, “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God…You were anointed as a guardian cherub…You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you…you were filled with violence, and you have sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God…Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth…” (Ezekiel 28:13-17).
The downfall of Tyre, as well as the downfall of Satan, was rebellion against God because of pride. When God threw Satan to the earth because of his prideful rebellion, he landed in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, in the form of a serpent, Satan tempted Adam and Eve, thus bringing evil and violence into the world.
In Revelation 12, John gives us more insight by telling us about a “great war in heaven” (Revelation 12:7). John continues, “Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
At the beginning of Revelation 12, the dragon is described as fighting a woman, wanting to destroy her Son. But the dragon fails. This seems to be an explanation of Genesis 3:15, where God curses the serpent, saying, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” According to John’s vision, having failed to destroy the woman’s Son, the dragon turned his attention to destroying those who placed their faith in the woman’s Son. John writes, “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments” (Revelation 12:17).
To recap, the biblical story suggests that evil and violence entered our world as a result of Satan, created as a high-ranking angel, rebelling against God. Satan’s rebellion was rooted in pride. God threw Satan out of heaven, along with many angels who rebelled with him. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve, and sin entered our world. As a result, God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden. Violence has been a way of life ever since. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. God had a plan to interrupt violence. God always has a plan. God’s plan was, and is, Jesus.
Jesus Interrupted Violence Through the Cross
Genesis 3:15 is one of the key verses in all the Bible. It tells us that from the very beginning God had a plan to interrupt violence, a plan of forgiveness and reconciliation, a plan that far exceeds our comprehension, and a plan we do not deserve. It’s a plan of love, mercy, and grace. God’s plan was to send His Son to earth to live a life we could not live, and to take all the evil, pain, and violence on Himself at the cross. Jesus’ non-violent life ended in violence to show us how to live non-violently. The cross shows us the way to interrupt violence is with love. In the words of Dr. King, “I have decided to stick with love. Hatred is too great a burden to bear.”
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by “preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by teaching, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:3-11).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by proclaiming, “…anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by preaching, “…anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by teaching, “…anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by proclaiming, “Do not swear at all…” (Matthew 5:34).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by saying, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by proclaiming, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Throughout His life, Jesus interrupted violence by preaching, “…good news to the poor.” Proclaiming “freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind.” By releasing “…the oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
Do you remember our definition of violence? Here it is again: Violence is more than physical force—it is psychological and systemic, manifesting in words, actions, and policies that impose control over others.
If you read all those verses again, you will see Jesus interrupting physical violence, psychological violence, and systemic violence. In those verses you will see Jesus condemning one person imposing their power and control over another person. In those verses you will see Jesus interrupting violence through words, actions, and policies.
Ultimately, the greatest example of Jesus interrupting violence is the cross! In his book, The Wood Between the Worlds, Pastor Brian Zahnd writes, “Christ crucified is ever and always the true focus of the gospel transformation.” Earlier, in the same book, concerning the cross, Pastor Zahnd writes:
It’s the pinnacle of divine self-disclosure, the eternal moment of forgiveness, divine solidarity with human suffering, the enduring model of discipleship, the supreme demonstration of divine love, the beauty that saves the world, the re-founding of the world around an axis of love, the overthrow of the satan, the shaming of the principalities and powers, the unmasking of mob violence, the condemnation of state violence, the expose of political power, the abolition of way, the sacrifice to end all sacrifices, the great divide of humankind, the healing center of the cosmos, the death by which death is conquered, the Lamb upon the throne, the tree of life recovered and revealed. And with this brief list of interpretations, I’ve come nowhere near exhausting the meaning of the cross, for indeed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is an inexhaustible revelation of who God is.
From the cross, Jesus uttered three sayings that interrupted the violence all around Him. First, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 24:34). Jesus was not only speaking to those crucifying Him, but He was also looking through history—past, present, and future—offering forgiveness and an end to violence. Furthermore, Jesus was looking through the lenses of time to you and to me, offering us forgiveness, proclaiming there is a better way to live. That better way is a life of interrupting violence without being consumed by violence.
Jesus was crucified between two people who had been charged with the same crime as He was—treason. All three men who died that day were seen as terrorists who wanted to overthrow the government. Both men beside Jesus had been violent their entire adult lives. One man admits such. Church tradition says this man was named Dismas, possibly a childhood friend of Jesus. The other man was named Gestas. Dismas said to Gestas, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41). Jesus then said to Dismas, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is the second utterance that interrupted violence. Jesus’ forgiveness, because of the cross, is full and complete and eternal. It doesn’t matter what a person has done, what kind of violence they have perpetrated, or how much violence they have endured. Jesus took it all on Himself so you and I could be set free. Jesus took on the violence of this world to set us free from the violence in this world.
Third, the very last words of Jesus, “It is finished” (John 19:30), not just interrupted violence but stopped violence in its tracks. Nothing more needed to be done. Nothing more could be done. Jesus completed His task. Jesus interrupted violence once and for all. The Cross, the singular most heinous act of violence, should have been the end to all violence—physical, psychological, and systemic. Our job, as followers of Jesus, is to finish the task He started. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God make him who had no sin to be sin for us, that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus interrupted violence at the cross and then gave us the task of being violence interrupters.
Conclusion
Years ago, I was visiting a prison outside Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I had been to this prison many times and had developed a good relationship with the men there. Many of the men were MS13 gang members. On this particular visit, while talking with a friend I had visited multiple times, a young man in his thirties came and sat down with us. Through my translator, I was told this man’s name was Luis. He had been recently arrested and was the leader over all MS13 in Honduras. Luis had heard about me from the other prisoners and was waiting for a chance to speak with me. He was in this prison awaiting transport to the most secure prison in the country. Because of his standing in the gang, he dominated the rest of our conversation. No one interrupted. Everyone just listened. He knew I was a pastor, and so, after some small talk about where he was from, he got to the reason he wanted to talk with me.
He told me he grew up in church and, as a boy, was baptized in a creek near his church. His mom and grandmom were influential in him going to church. As a teenager, he started getting in trouble. He told me he did some things for which he was not proud. Over time, he quit going to church. Then, with a little anger in his voice, he said, “No one from the church ever came to me and tried to get me back in church. No one reached out to me. I felt like no one from the church showed me love and acceptance. But the gang did!” Now, he said, there was no turning back. It was too late for him.
Then, with tears in his eyes, he said, “Pastor, please tell the churches not to give up on young people like they did me. Please tell them to reach out to these young men, running the streets, living the gang life. Please show them love and acceptance. I don’t want them to end up like me. No one should have to live the way I lived.”
Church, please hear what Luis is saying. It is our responsibility to be peacemakers. As the body of Christ, it is our responsibility to step into violence. It is our responsibility to speak out against strife, conflict, racism, injustice, oppression, and war. It is our responsibility to be intentional about seeking reconciliation. It is our responsibility, with our words, actions, and policies, to interrupt violence.
May God grant us the strength and the courage to fulfill our responsibility as we commit ourselves to being violence interrupters by praying this prayer together…
Oh Lord our God,
You are the One, True and living God,
And the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
You are Holy and Just in all Your ways.
God, You are worthy of all our praises.
For in Your infinite wisdom and foreknowledge, You
foresaw the end before You created the beginning.
And, Lord, You knew everything in between.
Lord, You knew the violence that would be unleashed upon us, Your beloved people.
You knew every way in which we could be bound and afflicted
and every way in which we would be sold into sin.
And Lord God, You knew every way in which we would be banished
before the presence of Your glory.
But oh Lord God, we love You so much because You first loved us by sending
Your only begotten Son, Holy, Righteous, and True.
You sent Your Son Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins
and so reconciled us back to Yourself.
But not only so, Lord God, You also gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation
that we should help our brothers and sisters.
Lord God, we praise, honor, and glorify Your holy name,
And we thank You for these and many other wonderful blessings,
In Christ Jesus’ name.
Amen and Amen.
About Kevin Burns
Rev. Kevin Burns has been wrongfully incarcerated on Tennessee’s death row since 1995. While incarcerated, Rev. Burns has been a model inmate and has gained the respect of fellow inmates, guards, and prison administrators. On January 29, 2018, inside Riverbend Maximum Security Institution’s death row, Rev. Burns was ordained into the gospel ministry by Rev. Dr. Kevin Riggs and Franklin Community Church.
About Kevin Riggs
Kevin Riggs has been the pastor of Franklin Community Church for more than thirty years. He is also the founder and executive director of Franklin Community Development and Williamson County Homeless Alliance. He and his wife, Misty, live in Franklin, TN.
