Why persecution? ............. Parables 763

September 18, 2002

Imagine hearing shots as gunmen entered the place where you work. What would you do? What questions would you ask God after seeing your co-workers die?

My friend, Anita, is a school administrator in Muree, Pakistan. A few weeks ago, seven people died as they stood in the way of terrorists determined to kill the “foreigners” inside the school.

Anita’s email emphasizes that she felt amazingly calm when calm was needed, but in the days following, she tells of the aftershock. She, other workers, parents and students (children of missionaries) experienced things they will never forget.

Why did this happen to them? Why should the families of those who died suffer because of human suspicion and hate? Why are God’s people targets simply because they obey Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel”?

Obviously, the Gospel and its messengers offend people. Occasionally, our walk does not match our talk, but even if it does, godliness is almost a crime or an ugly thing to those outside of faith. Christian standards are unacceptable to anyone unwilling to admit their sinfulness and yield their lives to God.

Persecution is not new, nor limited to Christians. The Jews were persecuted during WW II, along with other races and nationalities. Early Christians were martyred by the thousands. Finding accurate statistics is a challenge, however one Web site says that at least 400 Christians die for their faith every day. Obeying God comes at a price.

Believers are despised for our message: we claim Christ is the only way to God. The fact is, Christ was crucified for saying the same thing: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

The Apostle Paul’s life was under a constant threat. He knew his persecutors did not like his message, but he also said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This affirms that sometimes suffering is not punishment from God but an affirmation that we are living the way we should.

Suffering sometimes leads to a greater good. In this situation, time will tell if the blood of those who died will sow an effective “seed” and bring renewal and growth to the Christian faith. Meanwhile, officials decided to close Muree Christian school, at least for a year. Children should not be made targets for those who hate their parents.

Perhaps Anita and the others are thinking about Jesus’ promise: “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. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Surely God can protect us, yet He warns that people hate godliness; He Himself suffered and died because of that hatred. Jesus said we must be willing to take up our cross also. Following Him means more than bearing a symbolic article of jewelry, or putting up with an annoyance in our life. The Cross was, and continues to be, a place of death.