Remember We Are in the Same Body

If we’re not careful, we can think of Christian persecution almost exclusively in terms of our own difficulties. We are mocked, may lose a job, and more. Those things are painful and we don’t discount them. Yet as read headlines from the around the world, we also see:

A woman in India watches as her sister is dragged off by Hindu nationalists. She doesn’t know if her sister is alive or dead …

 

A man in a North Korean prison camp is shaken awake after being beaten unconscious; the beatings begin again …

 

A woman in Nigeria runs for her life. She has escaped from Boko Haram, who kidnapped her. She is pregnant, and when she returns home, her community will reject her and her baby …

 

A group of children are laughing and talking as they come down to their church’s sanctuary after eating together. Instantly, many of them are killed by a bomb blast. It’s Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka …

 

There are many, many more stories that we can read about which show Christian suffering in terrible—sometimes unthinkable—ways around the world.

 

And we need to remember these are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

 

Recently, Pastor Greg preached through the book of Hebrews. It's a sermonic letter written to urge a group of persecuted believers to persevere in the faith. And in chapter 13, the author says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (13:3).  

 

We are in the same body—the body of Christ, the Church. This should provoke a response in us as believers! If it were our parents or siblings or children, we would not hesitate to speak for them.  Yet, through faith in Christ, these are our parents or siblings or children. Jesus said as much (Matt 12:47–50).  The blood of Christ runs thicker and deeper than any blood that runs through our veins.  Therefore, even if we end up bearing their reproach ourselves, we must identify publicly with the suffering church (Heb 10:32–34). We remember them as though we were "with them" (13:3).

 

You may remember that, several years ago, there was a campaign on social media to show solidarity and support for the Christians of Iraq. There, Muslims identify Christians with the Arabic letter ‘N’ (ن) which stands for Nazarene because Jesus himself was from Nazareth. He was a Nazarene. The Muslims were going through the city of Mosul, marking out the Christian homes by spray painting on the outside wall of the house this red N.  It served as a warning and an ultimatum: reject Jesus or suffer.  Many Christians began changing their social media profile pictures to that same red N. Why? Because we wanted to something—anything—to show solidarity with the Christians in Iraq. They may live in a different country, we may never see their faces, but they are our brothers and sisters, nonetheless. We are all Nazarenes because, by faith in him, we are all of the man from Nazareth.

 

Jesus himself was persecuted by the religious leaders of his day and said his followers would also endure the same (Matt 5:10–11; cf. 2 Tim 3:12). Therefore, suffering should not take us by surprise—even bloody persecution. If Satan could not destroy Jesus himself, he will surely take out his wrath against his people in this world. In fact, John sees him as great dragon making war against God’s people (Rev 12:17).

 

In all of this, then, let us remember our brothers and sisters. There are many ways we can support persecuted Christians financially and by advocating for them with our governments and in the public square. But perhaps the most powerful things we can do is pray for them. 

 

This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church. It’s an annual event, always on the first Sunday in November. It’s a reminder of the reality that Christ’s kingdom is bigger than our church or even the churches in our own country. Christ’s body is global. And we should be in prayer for those who are suffering the most. 

 

There are many ways to pray. This guide can used throughout the year. I would encourage you to consider praying for persecuted Christians regularly, not just annually. Websites like the Joshua Project and Global Christian Relief can help keep you updated on specific needs. They both have apps for your phone to make it even easier. 

This week, let's take some time to intercede for that part of the body of Christ which is enduring some of the worst persecution. Let’s remember them as though we're with them.