A Christian Epitaph

Modern Christians take a lot for granted- or at least I know I do! I often find myself wondering what my life would be like if I were a Christian in the first century. It is my life’s greatest ambition to serve God according to the New Testament pattern and to be an instrument of His will in restoring that New Testament pattern to the world. However, truth be told there will always be some big differences- hopefully not in doctrine (if that is the case I hope someone tells me so I can change!), but the things we have to face today may be a little different than in ancient times. I imagine myself as a preacher of the kingdom of Jesus in a land and time where almost no one has heard His name. I imagine preaching a concept that is completely foreign to the religious thinking of everyone around me, “a stumbling block to the Jews, and to the Greeks foolishness” (I Cor. 1:23). But the most terrifying and heart shattering difference is the fierce opposition and persecution that the early Christians faced for the cause of Christ.

I know that there are still places in the world in which Christians face a similar style of persecution that the early Christians did under the Romans, but I have never been to those places and I and most people I know are unfortunately rather ignorant of them. So many of our faithful brethren from the last two thousand years have taken the command to “take up your cross and follow Me” literally and gladly given their lives for their Master. What's more, early Christianity seemed to have a prevailing attitude of joy in the face of such persecution! Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10 that he was happy to count all things he had gained in life as loss, “that [he] may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” In Acts 5, the apostles were arrested and beaten and severely threatened “that they should not speak in the name of Jesus”. In response they “departed rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). It is difficult to know what you are willing to suffer until you are faced with the prospect of suffering. Would I have this attitude of joy in the face of violence and hatred? Would you?

Persecution seemed to follow the early Christians everywhere they went. I don’t believe that was without reason. It’s because they proclaimed the gospel wherever they went! In Acts 8, following the death of Stephen (more on that in a moment), “a great persecution arose against the church at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). At the death of Stephen in chapter 7, we are introduced to a man named Saul (who would later be converted and be known as Paul) who was “consenting to his death” (Acts 8:1).  In fact, the witnesses to the stoning of Stephen laid their garments down at Saul’s feet as they murdered him (Acts 7:58). This Saul would become a source of great fear for the early Christians. He was a man who “breathed threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” who asked permission of the high priest of the Jews that “if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2). During this great persecution, Saul “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Can you imagine being a Christian in Jerusalem at that time? A faithful preacher of the Lord cast out of the city and murdered for his sermon and then this man Saul barging into Christian homes like some sort of Gestapo to haul people off to prison… What would be the reaction of modern Christianity? What would be my next move? I hope that I would do the same as the early Christians did: “therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). The early Christians who had just lived through *that* persecution, went EVERYWHERE saying the same things that got them driven out of their homes, imprisoned and murdered previously! It wasn’t just these Christians who evangelized in the face of persecution either. In I Thessalonians, Paul writes to those who had “received the word in much affliction” to commend them because they “became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (I Thess. 1:6-7). It wasn’t just Macedonia and Achaia who should benefit from this example. In the face of “much affliction” the Thessalonian Christians sounded forth the word “not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place” (I Thess. 1:8)! In a time and place where we don’t face anywhere near the same level of persecution and violence in response to the gospel, I lament the fact that it is so hard to motivate Christians to evangelize. When I compare myself to these who were willing to face prison, torture or death while preaching the gospel, my stomach turns at all those times I didn’t say something to someone because I didn’t want to feel awkward, or to be made fun of, or to be shut down. Oh to have those opportunities back! Oh to suffer shame for the sake of the cross… 

I think the default reaction modern Christians have to persecution is to shirk our responsibilities (such as evangelism). The other main instinctual reaction that comes to my mind is to reciprocate the violence or threat. This is just about the most un-Christlike thing we could do. Some of Jesus’ last words before He died was a prayer for the forgiveness of His murderers! “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). We follow the Man who, when Peter tried to protect Him by striking the servant of the high priest and cutting off his ear, said, “Permit even this”, and healed the servant's ear (Luke 22:51)! When Stephen was stoned, he followed in Christ’s example, praying “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” as he died (Acts 7:60). Some of the last acts of Jesus and of Stephen were prayers of love for the forgiveness of those who killed them. It is for Christians to love and forgive those who wrong them. It is not for Christians to take vengeance upon their oppressors. Paul writes in Romans 14, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 14:17-18). It is the Christians duty to strive to be at peace with everyone, even those who wrong us, for as long as we possibly can. We are not without hope even if the worst comes to pass, and we will not be without justice. Paul continues, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’, says the Lord” (Rom 14:19). God will provide all the justice in the end. If we try to act in vengeance, we are assuming the role that God has claimed. As long as we are on earth we must have faith that God will dish out the justice that is due. In the meantime we have our own jobs to focus on: “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 14:21). We get a picture in Revelation of the martyred brethren beyond the veil pleading with God to expedite His plan for final vengeance against the persecutors of the church. “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed” (Rev. 6:9-11). Even for those who have already given their lives for the cause of the gospel, it is for them to have patience and trust in God to do His work. Paul wrote in his second letter to the oppressed, yet evangelistic church at Thessalonica to commend them for their good work and patience in the face of affliction and that they could find comfort in that God would repay their persecutors for their trouble. The extended quote gives us a full picture of Christians doing their job in faith that God will do His: 

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abound toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” II Thess. 1:3-9

The Thessalonian Christians were busy working in the kingdom: evangelizing and edifying. Their faith was growing, as was their love for one another and for God. They were far too busy making new Christians and becoming better Christians themselves to trouble themselves with vengeance on their oppressors. That was for God to handle! They endured in patient faith and their persecutions and growth were counted as evidence that they were on the right track. It was cause for rejoicing! How differently we tend to view the same things today… 

The root of the endurance and willingness to suffer for Christ, I believe, is twofold. The first part is that we have to love Christ like He loved us. We have to be devoted to Him no matter what. This is the whole concept of “taking up your cross”- that we are dead to our own will and live only for His. Sometimes through history and scripture we see that the command to take up our cross must be handled literally. The second part, I believe, comes from an understanding that what awaits us on the other side of death is worth whatever we must endure on this side if we are found faithful… and whatever we endure on this side of death is nothing in comparison to what we will endure if we are not found faithful. Jesus sums up the latter point in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the soul and body in hell.” Everything in this life is temporary. All of the pain, heartache, loss, and discouragement will seem like less than a blink of your eyes in the depths of eternity. Our hope for this happy eternity should give us resilience whenever faced with temptation or tribulation. We “desire a better, that is, a heavenly country” (Heb. 11:16). One in which “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).  

The catacombs beneath Rome tell a horrific tale for Christians- and yet it is one full of hope. The skeletons of those of the early faith bear testament to the horrors they suffered: heads separated from bodies, broken backs and shoulder blades, splintered ribs and crushed skulls, bones calcined from fire, etc. However, the epitaphs on Christian graves speak of peace and triumph in death.

"Here lies Marcia, put to rest in a dream of peace."

"Lawrence to his sweetest son, borne away of angels."

"Victorious in peace and in Christ."

"Being called away, he went in peace."

Christians were sent violently and painfully to their deaths, but they viewed death as a victory and suffering as fellowship with their Savior. In death there was life. In the midst of pain there was peace. In the face of fear, there was calm.

Contrast this with the epitaphs of Roman pagans from the same ancient time:

"Live for the present hour, since we are sure of nothing else."

"Once I was not. Now I am not. I know nothing about it, and it is no concern of mine."

"Traveler, curse me not as you pass, for I am in darkness and cannot answer."

No peace. No calm. No hope.

Let us not take for granted in our time of ease the hope that we have in Christ Jesus!