Should A Christian Be A Martyr?

Should A Christian Be A Martyr?

 

            After the crucifixion Of Jesus, the most cruelly inhuman and bloodiest pages of history were written. How ironic; the man of peace; the messenger of love; God’s own dearly beloved son should be the excuse for new forms of gruesome torture and savage, merciless inflection of pain.

            The Jews and the Romans had nothing in common except their desire to rid the world of this small band of Christians. The Priest convinced the Jews that they must be annihilated to preserve the ‘true faith of the chosen people.’ The Romans felt that they had to protect their empire and maintain the law.

            Reading the account in the history books we lose sight of the fact these Christians were ordinary people. People just like us, concerned only with making a living and raising a family. Until...they were faced with making a commitment that took the kind of courage that made Christian Martyr a synonym for honor, bravery, valor, and self-sacrifice. I wonder how many of us would have been able to walk in their footsteps?

            This Sunday, while you sit comfortably in a church service, remember there probably would not be a church as you know it, had not the martyr been true to his convictions.

            In the days when Jesus walked the earth, He had no news paper to spread His thoughts, No TV ministry to proclaim His gospel. His voice could only be heard by those few souls who made the pilgrimage to listen to the stories told be this strange man. They in turn, with their hearts glowing with love, spread the message to close friends and neighbors. Very few knew or cared what was going on. The religion of their forefathers were good enough for them.

            Imagine yourself back in time. Which side would you be on? You have been raised a Jew. You have been faithful to the Jewish faith. resisting the pagan religions practiced all around your land. All of your life you have observed the Sabbath. worshiped in the Temple, taken part in the religions rites, sacrificed doves and lambs as required by ritual. You honor the Priest and give your tithe to the Temple. You believe only what the Priest had taught.

            Only a heathen would listen to this blasphemous man named Jesus! You have heard he said, “The Sabbath was made for man.” His disciples defile the Holy Day by picking wheat to eat. They don’t wash their hands before meals. He questions the authority of the Priest. The Temple was defiled when this man, Jesus, threw out the money changers. the very pinnacle of shame was reached when Jesus declared himself to be, “Christ the Son of God.”

            The crucifixion should have put an end to this nonsense. Yet, the rumors persist. There are claims He healed all manner of disease; the blind, as well as the cripple and the leper, instantly, without the aid of medicine; fed a multitude of followers with a small basket of food; walked on the top of the water. If that were not enough; reliable people swear He called Lazarus from the grave. Who can believe such stories?

            The Christians, those brave enough to admit they are, are being hunted down and stoned, or jailed, or made sport of in the amphitheater.                               The huge amphitheater was packed with eager jubilant spectators waiting for the inferior, traitors to get what they deserve. The infidels have turned their back on tradition; the religion of Jehovah; defiled the Temple; denounced the authority of the Priest. They deserve no mercy!

            (Before you judge the spectators, remember, it was a cruel age; a strict religion. An eye for an eye was an indisputable law. A man would be crazy to adopt this new faith; one that teaches love your enemies; do to others only what you want done to yourself. Jehovah is a fierce judge. If you were to show mercy for the unbeliever, Jehovah would turn his wrath on you.)

            Still, I imagine there were a few who sincerely wanted to see the Christians perform miracles as stories say their leader did. Some who want to believe in a God of mercy, love and understanding.

            The foolish Christians are herded into the arena. They still have time to save themselves by denouncing this Jesus Christ and His teaching. some are trembling so they can hardly move. Others are moaning and praying to their God for deliverance. Some are cowering in a corner, while a few are standing boldly in the center of the arena; proud and willing to offer their lives in sacrifice for this strange new religion that they believe in.

            Screams of fear and agony fill the air and the carnage is indescribably horrible as the starving lions are freed to feast on the waiting, resigned, human banquet. Even after the lions have eaten their fill; the horror is not over for the suffering Christian. Anyone left not devoured is not spared. They are taken, bleeding and mangled, to wait for the next feeding. Or perhaps tortured on the rack; or wrapped in the arms of the iron maiden; or some other fiendish device fashioned to wring a confession that 'Jesus taught a deception of principle' from the defiant, loyal, suffering Christian.

            Could it be true? Could that Jesus, that carpenter, that gentle man, actually have been the son of God?

            This next question is not asked in any way to detract from the honor and respect the martyrs deserve. I hold the deepest admiration for the heroism of those early Christians. I freely admit I thank God that I was not called upon to duplicate their courage. Yet, I can't help wondering.. rather than merely glowing and burning with religious zeal...if they had understood the Master,,what would the outcome have been? Had they comprehended; grasped the deeper meaning of the promises made by Jesus; realized God's ever present protection; what would Christianity be today?

            Would the starving lions have laid down at their feet like docile kittens? They did for Daniel! He used the hungry beasts for a pillow. "My God hath sent His angel and have shut the lion's mouths, that they might not hurt me." And "No manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in God."*

            Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced into a fiery furnace; a furnace so hot the soldiers guarding the three men were consumed. These three were "These men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair on their head singed, neither were their coats charred, nor the smell of fire had passed on them“*

            Little David killed the giant Goliath; Sampson's immense strength is legend; as is Solomon's wealth, and great wisdom; Moses parted the water; and they all lived before the illuminated example of the life of Jesus. All through the bible are proofs of God's protecting Love. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yes I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."*

            Jesus died on the cross. He too gave up His life for His brothers. Do we sometimes forget the greater part of the story? Jesus is very much ALIVE today! Ready, willing and able to help us become the Victor, not the victim, in all endeavors.

            The message Jesus taught was spiritual. His life was testimony to the eternal, unconditional love of God for all His children. Jesus, today as then, is trying to tell us there is nothing to fear. When we are forced into the arena (life) and the lions (circumstances or situations seemingly beyond our control) lunge at us, we can know the time has come for us to make a stand for TRUTH. Which is stronger, God or a lion?

            Isn't it time to bring spiritual healing back to the church as it was in the early days? And time to make Christian martyr a synonym for Victory Over All Odds? The material mortal man may be eaten (or beaten). The spiritually perfect man; which God created and Jesus was the supreme example for us to imitate; is invincible!

 

*Daniel 6:22-23             *Daniel 3:27               Isaiah 41:10

 

               1,383 words      Loretta Ellen Edwards

Reviews

[Tazeen Ahmed]

You write so convincingly!
Thank you for sharing!