Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch Christian.  As such, she was from a watchmaker family, a writer, and a Holocaust survivor, one whose life has become a powerful testimony of faith.  Do not believe my words but read Boom’s own words in her writing:  The Hiding Place.  Courage.  Forgiveness.  Testimony.  A few years ago, I stood on a sidewalk in the Netherlands, outside her Dutch childhood home and watchmaker business, wondering what it might have been like to stand strong in one’s faith under such great persecution.  As I stood gazing at the front windows facing the world, what were her thoughts as her family helped hide Jews during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands?  How could she allow herself to be arrested, be placed in prison, and transported to a concentration camp?  Could I (like Boom) watch one of my sisters die, because of our walk of faith?  Would I become bitter, or would I (like Boom) travel, teach, and proclaim the love of Christ, the healing that comes through forgiveness, and the faithfulness of Christ—or would I become bitter, angry, and unfaithful?

Persecution.

Suffering.

Martyrdom.

These are not appealing to me, nor to millions of believers.  Truly, we enjoy the comforts of life so much more.  However, following the path of Jesus can be hard.  See with me the teaching of our Savior, Christ Jesus.

Did we notice the words made BOLD (for emphasis)?

Did we notice our promised assurance the Lord Jesus spoke?

• “yours is the kingdom of God.”
• “you shall be satisfied.”
• “you shall laugh.”
• “your reward is great in heaven.”

Did we see as we read for whom we are to suffer, to be persecuted, to be hated, to be ostracized, to be insulted, to be scorned—for?

“for the sake of the Son of Man.”

Earlier today, I read how more Christians were martyred for their faith in the 20^th Century than in all the preceding and combined nineteen centuries.  MORE!  Then I hesitated as I considered my own life.  Am I included in the MORE, or do I shy away and even flee persecution?  When faced with standing FOR my FAITH, do I stand or do I walk away or stand in silence?  These questions bring a sobering reality.

The Bible is clear.

There is a direct connection between the promised resurrection and the expectation of being persecuted for Christ’s sake.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, there were many who saw what He had done.  Many believed on the name of Jesus, while others ran to the religious leaders to report the miracle of Jesus.

Their attitudes opposed Jesus.

They saw Jesus as an outward opposition to their country and outward religious appearance.

They were more concerned about their “practice” and less concerned about actually seeking God.

I hesitated as I considered my own life.  Am I more concerned about how I look in the world or am I willing to be persecuted for my faith?  Do I stand FOR my FAITH, or do I stand in silence when those near me speak of their unbelief?  Do I testify or do I stay mute?   These questions bring a sobering reality.