A.D. The Bible Continues: Ministers & Martyrs by Mike Aquilina

Author:Mike Aquilina [Aquilina, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 978-1-622822-652
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
Published: 2015-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

The Crown of Martyrdom

Jesus’ opponents felt sure that his execution would solve the problem that he had become. That was the way Roman authority typically dealt with troublesome religious movements — with exemplary public violence. Once the charismatic leaders were removed and the treasuries emptied, the followers usually lost their ardor for the cause.

Crucifixion was a particularly gruesome, humiliating, and torturous death. It was the cruelest method of executions the Romans had devised; and they reserved it for the worst crimes committed by men considered to be lowlife criminals. In most cases, it quashed movements instantly. Jesus himself made note of the principle at work: “strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Mark 14:27).

But Jesus’ execution solved nothing for the Romans, for the Jerusalem priests, or for the Pharisees. Quite the contrary: it made matters worse. As reports of the Master’s empty tomb went abroad, his popularity took an upturn, and so the conflict continued and grew, now with ever more numerous disciples taking the place of Jesus in the struggle with the Jerusalem authorities.

Opposition, it seems, was an unavoidable part of the life of the disciples. Jesus himself said: “I will send . . . apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute” (Luke 11:49). In another account, he made it clear that such opposition would be universal, marked by Roman crucifixions and Jewish scourging (Matt. 23:34). He assured his disciples that, contrary to all appearances, persecution would be the occasion of great blessings:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10–12)

In the same sermon, Jesus instructed his hearers: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44) — which is counterintuitive advice, to say the least.

Persecution was a recurring theme in Jesus’ preaching. He made clear that it was inevitable (Luke 21:12) but that it should not be sought. Persecution should be avoided if possible (Matt. 10:23). It would be the occasion for some to lose their faith (Mark 4:17). Those who persevered, however, would be rewarded — so greatly that they would come to see persecution itself as a reward (Mark 10:30).

The Apostles, in turn, experienced persecution and came to expect it: “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Occasionally it would come in waves over the entire Church, as it did in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50), in Iconium and Lystra (2 Tim. 3:11), and elsewhere.

The early Christians came to apply the word persecution to any obstacles to the fulfillment of their mission. If the obstacles were not willed directly by men, they were seen as persecutions of the devil (Rev. 2:10). Calamities,

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