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A profound change of heart made these men Christian martyrs
Whenever I have doubts about my faith, I find great comfort in meditating on the Saints of the Bible. These disciples and apostles gave their very lives because of what (or rather Whom) they believed.
I am blessed to live in a country with religious freedoms. I was never forced to choose to renounce my faith or die for it.
But others have. Three in particular inspire me in my faith: James, Peter and Paul.
James
James was one of at least six brothers of Jesus (James, Joseph, Simon, Judas and sisters). At first, he didn’t believe his brother was who he claimed to be.
Because not even his brothers believed in him. (John 7:5, NIV)
Imagine growing up with a sibling who claims to be the Messiah. So what changed his mind? What would make him go to his own death to support the idea that his older brother—the man he grew up with—was really the Son of God?
What changed?
He met Jesus, the Risen Lord.
Then he appeared to James and then to all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:7, NIV)
Jesus showed Himself to James after His resurrection. James saw the resurrected Christ. Any doubts he had up to that point vanished in that moment.
James went on to be one of the main leaders in the early church. He was martyred by stoning.
Peter
Peter was one of the first disciples called to follow Jesus. He was a fisherman with a reputation for impulsiveness and arrogance.
Although he claimed to follow Jesus until his death, he actually denied Christ three times on the night he was betrayed. Peter ran and hid. He didn’t even go to the crucifixion.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” (Luke 22:61, NIV)
He feared for his life and was so disappointed that Jesus had died that he returned to his work as a fisherman. So what changed his mind? What would make him go to his death to support the idea that his master—the man he followed but died—was really the Son of God?
What changed?
He met Jesus, the Risen Lord.
Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he rose from the dead. (John 21:12–14, NIV)
Jesus appeared to Peter forgiving him for his betrayal by denying Him. Any doubts he had up to that point vanished in that moment.
Peter continued to be one of the main leaders in the early church. He was martyred by crucifixion.
Paul
My personal favorite is Pavlos. He was not a follower of Jesus. Originally his name was Saul of Tarsus and he persecuted believers in the early Church.
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found there any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might take them captive to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1–2, NIV)
Paul was a member of the Pharisees, a Jewish group of saints who wanted to preserve Jewish law and tradition. He was on a violent campaign to silence the followers of Jesus. So what changed his mind? What would make him go to his own death to support the idea that his enemy—the man whose followers he persecuted—was really the Son of God?
What changed?
He met Jesus, the Risen Lord.
All who heard him were amazed and asked: “Isn’t he the one who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And has he not come here to take them captive to the high priests?’ However, Saul grew stronger and confused the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 9:21 NIV)
Paul continued to be one of the main leaders in the early church. He was martyred by beheading.
What do these men have in common?
All three began with doubt, fear, or antagonism toward Jesus.
They saw Jesus alive after he died.
They became pillars in the early Church.
They died horrible deaths defending their faith.
I feel blessed to be encouraged in my daily faith by these men who faced death rather than deny Jesus Christ.
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