You are my martyrs.
While we translate this as “witnesses” in Acts 1:8, the Greek word “martyria” means “martyr.”
Jesus tells his disciples they’ll receive power from the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
This word gained its meaning of “one who dies for their faith” because so many early Christian witnesses were killed for proclaiming Christ’s death and resurrection.
The stories of martyrs are truly wonderful, not an oxymoron when we remember Paul’s words: “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
As Christians, we need not fear death because it means being with Christ forever.
These accounts show how our brothers and sisters endured trials, ran the race, and fought the good fight while standing firm in faith.
But we also thank God for their witness, because many of these stories include conversions of soldiers, gladiators, and guards who saw Christians’ fearlessness in the Colosseum.
They witnessed the hope these believers possessed.
Consider the Apostle Peter, imprisoned by Emperor Nero and sentenced to death.
According to tradition, two guards converted because of what they saw in Peter and heard from him.
They were subsequently executed for their newfound faith.
There’s Polycarp, who invited arresting soldiers into his home for a meal while he prayed.
There’s Paul and Saint Valentine, who proclaimed Christ before Roman emperors, hoping even they would believe.
We too are called to snatch others from the fire, to share God’s good and gracious gifts given to us in Jesus Christ.
Through his death and resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we receive eternal life.
Thanks be to God.
Steve Andrews Jr is pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #martyrs
If you have questions or topics that you’d like discussed on Higher Things, email them to content@higherthings.org
Subscribe to our channel to get notifications when we go live: http://youtube.com/@HTgospel4all
To support the work of Higher Things®, visit https://higherthings.org/morehi/giving/
For more information about Higher Things, go to http://higherthings.org
——
Join the conversation on Social Media:
http://facebook.com/higherthings
http://instagram.com/higherthings
https://www.tiktok.com/@higherthings
