And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls
of the slain for the sake of the word of God and for the sake of the
witness which they had; and they cried out with a great voice, saying,
"How long, Master, the holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our
blood on those dwelling on the earth?" And was given to each a white
robe and it was said to them in order that they rest yet a little while,
until it is fulfilled also to their fellow servants and their brothers
who are about to be killed as also they.
John the baptizer was a martyr. Now, I do not think that word means what
you think it means. Most times we think of Abraham Lincoln or MLK Jr. as
martyrs because they died for their beliefs. But it's not the dying part
that makes the martyr. It's the belief part. John became one of those
martyrs who dwell beneath heaven's altar because of the witness of the
faith He made during his earthly life. For the sake of the word of God
to which John testified, He was put to death by wicked King Herod.
You too are "martyrs", no less than John was. With your mouth you have
testified to God's truth today as you made your bold confession in the
Nicene Creed. You said what you believe about God the Father, Son & Holy
Ghost. That is your conviction, for your confidence is in the Triune God
Who has created you, redeemed you, and has made you holy. And what you
have testified with your mouth, God fully expects you to bear witness to
with your actions, even unto up to the day you die!
When you made your confirmation vows to God, you promised to be just
such a witness for God! You boldly stated on that day that you'd
renounce the devil & all his works & ways. You promised to be a faithful
believer in Christ, following His teachings, as a part of his church;
even unto death, by the help of God's grace. This was an even more
serious vow to make than a wedding vow, which is only temporary. There's
no "till death do us part" here. You promise even after death to remain
with God!
But what happens? Your bold witness becomes less bold. Some find excuses
to stay away from God's word proclaimed, and God's gifts given in the
church service. Others "go thru the motions" on Sunday, but don't really
take to heart the truth & reality of what God is doing here. Still
others make a hypocritical witness on Sunday which is the complete
opposite of the witness their actions give throughout the week. Makes
you wonder if you'd hold your confession in the face of death...
Now, John could have spared himself an untimely death at the hands of
evil Herod. He could have recanted his testimony about Herod's sinful
behavior. But he didn't. He stood fast to the truth, and it cost him his
life. Would you do the same? Or would you quickly consider another
system of beliefs because the person you fall in love with believes that
way? Or would you switch churches/ confessions for the sake of
convenience, even if it means that you sacrifice the truth of God?
Likewise, if you have family members or close friends who belong to
faiths which teach contrary to the Word of God, are you bold in your
testimony of words & actions with them, or do you wimp out and avoid
controversy for the sake of so-called "peace". I had a friend, years
ago, who used to wear a hat that had written on it, "Friends don't let
friends remain heterodox." If we are bold martyrs in our confession of
faith, then we will indeed risk arguments or potential alienation for
their souls' sakes.
For although Herod took John's life that day long ago, the baptizer
really lost nothing, because he lived on in heaven! So too for you! Even
if your goods, fame, child, or wife be gone–they still have nothing won.
The kingdom yours remaineth! For you have already tasted the martyr's
death in your baptism! Sinful you, that day, was crucified with Christ
Jesus at the +. That's why you were buried with Christ by baptism into
His death, so that you would also be raised up in Jesus to new life!
You are blessed now to be clothed as John and the other martyrs in
heaven, with the white robes of Jesus' Own holy righteousness! For all
your sins, even those of your reluctant witnessing, have been cast off
you in baptism, washed from you to Jesus on the +, where He bore them
and their everlasting punishment in full within His Own body on the
tree. In blessed trade, you receive what Jesus gave up for you, His holy
righteousness is now yours, credited to your account by faith!
So John and the other martyrs of heaven wait a while longer until all
those for whom Jesus died may die & rise in Christ to new life. In the
meanwhile, God strengthens you to be among them, baptized in His name,
and fed with His body & blood, to confess in your words & actions the
love of your Savior.
John C. Drosendahl, Pastor
[email protected]
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