“WHEN…not IF you are Persecuted…”
60 Minutes did a piece recently interviewing Patriarch Bartholomew, the official leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, a body of about 300 Million people – the approximate population of the United States.
You’d think that with that kind of following they’d be in good company, but no – they are in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). This city in Turkey has been the dividing line between East and West – Muslim and Christian. Istanbul stands at 99% Muslim, with only about 4,000 Greek Orthodox dotting the city landscape. While 60 Minutes was taping the interview, Bartholomew was informed another attempt had been made on his life.
How do you love your neighbor in such a circumstance?
In fact, this is one instance when we can literally ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” because there is a record of this exact situation. Surrounded by people furious at his very existence, Jesus used the opportunity not to lay down and die, but to be crucified on a hill for all the world to see. This wasn’t self-righteousness, it was displaying what love looks like in public.
Some might say that Christianity always has the most trouble truly communicating it’s raison d’être in an environment where it is generally accepted or revered as the cultural norm. Christianity was born into a political and social circumstance where exile, humiliation and persecution where expected by all followers of Jesus. That’s why in Matthew 5:11 when Jesus said “When (not IF) you are persecuted you are blessed by God.” He supposes that each person who chooses to live the alternative lifestyle of Jesus Christ will by their very nature be targets of mockery and destruction by others. And what do you do when (not ‘if’) it happens? Two things: remember that prophets who came before you were also persecuted, and then turn the other cheek.
But what about in America?
Even in an age when statistically few people are actively engaging a Christian faith, most see America as a “Christian Nation” if only in name. Even still, you can bet that Christians living out the Christ life will have it confirmed to them when they find themselves being persecuted. Live different, and there will always be dissenters trying to rope you back into the mainstream. Our political system might keep you from getting executed (by the Government anyway,) but keep showing your love – and you will be attacked. It will take you to jail, make you misunderstood and maligned by friends, and harassed by cynics, hypocrites and nay-sayers. You will be given threats at every level to stop shaking up the status-quo. You will be underfunded and overexposed.
And if you’re reading this today and can’t think of a time when you were brought down to your knees for your beliefs – maybe its because that’s all they were — beliefs. Put some of your radical beliefs into action. Loving your enemies, being a peace-maker, mourning with those who mourn…it will quickly make you see just how surrounded you are by people who don’t understand you – but nevertheless keep at it – they are desperately in need of Love.
