Sunday, November 20, 2005
Christian martyrs, yesterday and today...
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
~Jim Elliot
Speared by headhunters in Ecuador while serving there as a missionary 1956
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad -- because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.
~Peter the Apostle
Martyred in Rome, 65 AD
(1 Peter 4.12,13 nlt)
Two of the victims' heads were found near a police post while the third was discovered outside a Christian church. The incident has sparked public indignation at home and overseas. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned the killings and Pope Benedict XVI deplored what he described as "barbaric murder".
INDONESIAN police have arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of involvement in the beheading of three teenage Christian girls in the religiously divided district of Poso.
Machete-wielding attackers ambushed the three high school students on their way home on October 29, killing three and wounding the fourth, police said.
Families of Beheaded Indonesian Girls Forgive Killers
Nursalem believes that the girls were targeted for attack because they defied Idul Fitre, an important Muslim holiday signifying the end of Ramadan.
"They must have offended the Muslim extremists because in this season of Ramadan, there should be no school, but the Christian school is open,” explained Nursalem.
Moreover, the three victims were very active Christian leaders in school prayer meetings and church. Pastor Mastin says the deaths of Alfita, Teressia, and Yarni are not in vain. She calls them martyrs because their deaths have brought unity to the Christian churches in Poso, and their lives encouraged them to be strong in the faith.
Pastor Mastin said, “We hope peace will come to Poso. Because of the three girls who were martyred, we are challenged, and our faith is put to a test like gold. But we become strong because of their example.”
Community leader John Mandagi believes the violent incidents in Poso are politically motivated.
"The Christians and the National Muslims now have a harmonious relationship,” Mondagi said, “and so there is a third party, the terrorist group, that is being used by corrupt politicians. They try to provoke both the Christians and Muslims to fight, but this will not happen again."
......
Difficult as it is, Yarni's father and the parents of Alfita and Teressia have released forgiveness to the murderers of their daughters. They believe that it is God who will judge them.
Markus Sambuwe, the father of one of the girls, remarked," I am really angry, but the Holy Spirit touched my heart and changed me. I forgive them just as Jesus has forgiven my sins."
If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow...
Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
~Paul the Apostle
Martyred in Rome, 65 AD
(Romans 12.14,15,21 nlt)
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