Memorial Day and Christian Martyrs
by Mark Parsec(351)
Blogz
Tomorrow is Memorial Day; when we recognize the millions of men and women from the armed services who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. These brave individuals paid for the price of freedom, not just their blood, sweat and tears, but with their very lives.
Those of us who will be recognizing memorial day - do so not just in memory of those individuals who died… but in honor to the principles for which they lived; among which is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But, more than these familiar values, there resounds a fundamental guiding principle which far outshines all of the rest… and that is, if we are to know freedom, if we are to experience liberty, if we are to pursue happiness, then sacrifices must be made!
To illustrate this, I’d like to bring your attention to a scene out of a Star Trek motion picture… The Wrath of Khan. Those of you who are Star Trek fans might remember the line…
Spock had entered a radiation-filled section of the U.S.S. Enterprise, even though to do so meant certain death. It was the only way to bring the main engines back online in time to save the lives of his shipmates. Fighting the effects of the deadly radiation Spock gasps, " The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. "
Those who gave their lives for this country lived out this principle to the fullest because they understood that sometimes there are needs that are greater than our own.
Self sacrificing parents understand this principle. They will go without sleep, without food, without rest… all for their children’s welfare. And we have all heard of stories where a parent has sacrificed their life to rescue their child from certain death.
Jesus spoke about this type of self sacrifice in John 15:13 when he said: 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
As we recognize Memorial Day tomorrow and remember those who have died in war and the principles for which they died, I would ask that we remember others… those who have died for Christ. For, we are engaged in a great spiritual war that rages around the globe. Those who oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ have slain 70 million Christians since the time of Christ.
I f you know much about Christian history or have even read through the Book of Acts, then you are aware that Christians have shed their blood, spent time in prison and died for the cause of Christ. The truth is, even at this point in time, there are Christians suffering and dying like this, especially outside the USA. Current estimates are that 176,000 Christians are martyred every year!
That is the equivalent of all of the people in three cities the size of Lodi being executed every year!
It is a war! In some countries like India, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China, a person is forbidden to read a Bible, attend a Christian service, or pray in the name of Jesus. Failure to abide by the law can result in imprisonment and death.
Examples of such tragedies are provided by magazine that the Pastor subscribes to called Voice of the Martyrs. One such story is about two girls in Pakistan by the names of Saleema and Raheela.
I’d like to read an excerpt of their account…
“If you promise to carry your cross, it will be a life full of thorns, mountains, and difficulties,” the Pakistani teenager said in a firm voice. Saleema, a Christian who lives in Muslim dominated Pakistan, shared her faith with a schoolmate, Raheela, who later accepted Christ.
Raheela’s incensed family charged Saleema with “converting a Muslim,” a charge that can carry the death penalty in Pakistan. Saleema and her pastor were arrested, and her parents were questioned and beaten by police. Saleema was abused while in polioce custody, but she would not deny her faith. In fact, she softly sang Christian songs in jail, hoping to draw others to Christ.
Raheela fled her home, but her family hunted her down. When they offered her a final chance to recant her faith and return to Mohammed, she refused. For her “crime”, her own family executed Raheela.
Saleema went through lengthy court hearings. Raheela’s family blamed her for their daughter’s death. Eventually the charges were dropped. But Saleema’s life will never the the same. She was forced to move to another part of Pakistan for fear of radical Muslims killing her. Yet the thorns, mountains and difficulties have not dimmed her faith. In fact, she is preparing to serve as a missionary. She says, “No matter how big the mountain, Jesus will help you overcome!”
Jesus never promised us believers a rose garden. Peace yes, in our hearts and minds. But, enmity with the world. In fact, in Matthew 10:34-35 Jesus said, 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
When speaking about things that awaited Christians in the future Jesus said in Matthew 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
And when speaking about the suffering that believers had received because of their faith the author of the Book of Hebrews tells us:
Heb 11:35-39 Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith ...
Today… 482 Christians will lose their lives around the world because of their faith in Jesus Christ, tomorrow another 482 shall die. Each of these will have given their lives for the Master. And, if we were to ask them I am certain that they would say that it was a life worth giving.
As we remember those who laid down their lives for our country… let us remember those who laid down their lives for Christ. Let us remember those who continue to die because they believe in the same Lord and Savior that we do. Let us remember them and not forget them, for the day that we forget what our brothers and sisters have sacrificed is the day we have sacrificed our faith.
Article submitted Sunday, May 30, 2010 & read 416 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Linda DeWitt (101 days 16 hours ago.)
Great article Mark. Lot of food for thought about serving. Thanks for sharing.Respond to this comment
» left by Mark Parsec(351)
Hi Linda,
Thank you. I hope you are feeling better. You are always in our prayers.
Mark
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» left by Morris Inch(4) (100 days 21 hours ago.)
A moving reminder. God bless! MorrisRespond to this comment
» left by Mark Parsec(351)
Hi Morris,
Thank you for your comments.
Mark
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» left by Jose Condemarin (98 days 16 hours ago.)
Mark,Very nice article, very uplifting. Thank youRespond to this comment
» left by Mark Parsec(351)
Hi Jose,
Good to hear from you. Thank you for your comments.
Mark
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