ODB: the others
September 20, 2009
READ: Hebrews 11:32-40
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. . . . Great is your reward in heaven. —Matthew 5:11-12
When I was growing up, I often spent a week each summer with my grandparents. Many afternoons I would lie in the backyard hammock and read books I found in Grandpa’s bookcase. One was Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. It was heavy reading for a young girl, but I was absorbed by the detailed accounts of Christian martyrs, believers who were told to deny their faith in Christ but refused—thus suffering horrific deaths.
Hebrews 11 tells similar stories. After listing the familiar names of those who demonstrated immense faith in God, the chapter tells of the torture and death of people referred to simply as “others” (vv.35-36). While their names are not mentioned, verse 38 pays them this tribute: “The world was not worthy” of them. They died boldly for their faith in Jesus.
Today, we hear of persecuted Christians around the world, yet many of us have not been tested to that extent. When I examine my own faith, I wonder how I would respond to the prospect of martyrdom. I hope I would have the attitude of Paul, who said that although “chains and tribulations” awaited him (Acts 20:23), he looked forward to finishing life’s race “with joy” (v.24). Are we facing life with that kind of trusting attitude? — Cindy Hess Kasper
The way to have joy in persecution is to find your joy in Jesus.
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Loading ...ODJ: cross road blues
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:5).
READ: Luke 23:26-43
As I waited in line at a southern US coffeehouse, the T-shirt on the customer ahead of me caught my eye. Above two crossed guitars read the message: “Highway 49 and Highway 61, Clarksdale, Mississippi—Crossroads of the Blues.” Beneath that was the caption: “Lord, please forgive Robert Johnson.”
One of the musical superstars who sprang out of the American South in the 20th century, Robert Johnson wrote the blues standards “Cross Road Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago.” A superlative and innovative guitarist, he unfortunately had a penchant for women who were not his wife. Johnson died at 27—legend says from poisoning at the hands of a jealous husband.
So, will God forgive Robert Johnson?
At some level, we all might appreciate blanket forgiveness. We hear Jesus’ incredible words on behalf of the Roman soldiers as they crucified Him: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). But nowhere in Scripture do we read of anyone finding forgiveness after he or she has died.
Jesus doesn’t offer forgiveness because of any merits of our own. He offers forgiveness because He loves us as His fallen creation. That’s why He chose to pay the price for our rebellion against His heavenly Father. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus grasped that vital truth just in time (vv.40-43). He believed in the One who can make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
I suspect the T-shirt wearer at that Mississippi coffeehouse was more interested in Robert Johnson’s talents than in considering the ramifications of his destructive lifestyle. The real crossroads takes place at the cross where Jesus was crucified for our sins. Will we accept forgiveness from the truly heroic Man who offers it to us? —Tim Gustafson
Count the number of times Daniel uses the pronoun “we” in Daniel 9:4-19. How many times does he ask God to forgive the Israelites for their sins? How can this passage serve as a model for your prayer life?
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