You probably know the origin of the word “woke,” but just in case you don’t, it emerged from the struggles of Black Americans in the early 20th century. In 1938, Black blues singer Huddie Ledbetter used the term “staying woke” in his song about the Scottsboro Boys, referring to the forces that kept power unequally distributed in society, disproportionately disadvantaging the poor and people of color.

In today’s hyper-politicized culture, “woke” has been hijacked and turned into a term used to criticize progressive and liberal initiatives. Shockingly, some churches in the South have been reported to discourage preachers from teaching Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount because it is deemed too “woke.” But Jesus himself was “woke!”

The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous of all Jesus’ teachings. Even if someone is unfamiliar with the Bible, they likely know the Beatitudes and Matthew 25:36–40—a passage that serves as a foundation for mercy and justice throughout the Christian world:

"I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you visited me."

Then the righteous will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

And the King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

So, what are we—as Progressive Christians—to do? Can we take inspiration from our Black siblings and reclaim “woke” as a declaration of resistance against White Christian Nationalism and the injustices of the Trump administration? Can it become our word of empowerment? Can we announce our solidarity with Jesus as we fight against today’s injustices?

Imagine wearing a T-shirt that says, “WOKE just means you give a damn about other people.” Or a yard sign proclaiming, “WOKE: it’s not the insult you think it is.” You can even buy “Stay Woke” buttons in a variety of colors, or find “Jesus Was Woke” buttons on Etsy.

Now is the time to stand tall and declare our commitment to all of God’s children who are targeted because of the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their religion, or their immigration status. And in doing so, we are in the company of Woke Jesus.