I am privileged to know nothing of martyrdom. So was Rodrigues for the former part of his time in Japan, but then he witnessed the crucifixions of Ichizo and Mokichi.
Chapter four wrecked me. Knowing that Endo writes this book from a place of personal experience and knowing that there are places right now where Christians are persecuted so severely is devastating to me. I can't imagine wanting to cause bodily harm to someone solely because of their religious beliefs, no matter how detrimental I feel they are.
This weekend I had the opportunity to speak with a woman named Esther Ahmad who was persecuted for her belief in Christ while living in Pakistan. Hearing her story brought new life to Endo's words. But I still have no true concept of martyrdom.
I have never been persecuted for my beliefs. I grew up in a ministerial home. I graduated from a private Christian high school in the Bible belt and now attend a private Christian university in the Bible belt. I work in a church and serve on this university's chapel band and campus ministries team. Even when I lived in New York and even in my time in Moscow I was never persecuted. I may have been in the minority, but I was free to meet in churches and talk about my Savior, and I did so without true fear. I have never once been in danger of being put to death for my beliefs. The concept of martyrdom is foreign to me and it will be foreign to me until I witness it. I very selfishly hope that martyrdom is always foreign to me. The same was true for Rodrigues, and he really starts to wrestle with it in chapter six when he realizes his own death is likely imminent.
Rodrigues realizes that when he dies the world will keep turning. The flies and cicadas will still buzz incessantly. The outside world will likely never hear of his death. It would cause no change and spark no controversy, and for some reason this causes him to grow apprehensive. Even though he would be dying for Christ, he still feels like he would be dying for nothing. This is when the reality of martyrdom really hits him.
Martyrdom is gruesome. It is not glorious. It is dirty and lonely and painful. Very rarely does it leave a legacy of sainthood or glory or fame. And yet we are called to accept it anyway. Even if nobody cares that we are dead, if we die for Christ, we need to accept it willingly. Christ died naked and in agony for the people who would spit in His face. It only stands to reason that we need to be willing to do the same for Him.
moriah & hailey
Chapter four wrecked me. Knowing that Endo writes this book from a place of personal experience and knowing that there are places right now where Christians are persecuted so severely is devastating to me. I can't imagine wanting to cause bodily harm to someone solely because of their religious beliefs, no matter how detrimental I feel they are.
This weekend I had the opportunity to speak with a woman named Esther Ahmad who was persecuted for her belief in Christ while living in Pakistan. Hearing her story brought new life to Endo's words. But I still have no true concept of martyrdom.
I have never been persecuted for my beliefs. I grew up in a ministerial home. I graduated from a private Christian high school in the Bible belt and now attend a private Christian university in the Bible belt. I work in a church and serve on this university's chapel band and campus ministries team. Even when I lived in New York and even in my time in Moscow I was never persecuted. I may have been in the minority, but I was free to meet in churches and talk about my Savior, and I did so without true fear. I have never once been in danger of being put to death for my beliefs. The concept of martyrdom is foreign to me and it will be foreign to me until I witness it. I very selfishly hope that martyrdom is always foreign to me. The same was true for Rodrigues, and he really starts to wrestle with it in chapter six when he realizes his own death is likely imminent.
Rodrigues realizes that when he dies the world will keep turning. The flies and cicadas will still buzz incessantly. The outside world will likely never hear of his death. It would cause no change and spark no controversy, and for some reason this causes him to grow apprehensive. Even though he would be dying for Christ, he still feels like he would be dying for nothing. This is when the reality of martyrdom really hits him.
Martyrdom is gruesome. It is not glorious. It is dirty and lonely and painful. Very rarely does it leave a legacy of sainthood or glory or fame. And yet we are called to accept it anyway. Even if nobody cares that we are dead, if we die for Christ, we need to accept it willingly. Christ died naked and in agony for the people who would spit in His face. It only stands to reason that we need to be willing to do the same for Him.
moriah & hailey
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