Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

This is a powerful and important statement by Jesus. It is the glorious hope of every martyr, and a rebuke to every nominal Christian who “plays it safe.” Some martyrdoms are quick and simple, such as that of Charlie Kirk. He probably felt only a brief sting before passing out from loss of blood, and then he woke up in heaven. The ultimate in a painful martyrdom would be Jesus Himself, who underwent a scourging that in itself was often fatal, and then was literally nailed to a cross, to hang suspended from those nails until he died. Every time I consider this issue I think of the sons of Zebedee, James and John. In Matthew 20 it tells how their mother asked Jesus if they could sit at His right and left in His kingdom, and He asked if they could drink the cup He was going to drink, meaning His martyrdom. When they replied in the affirmative, He said that they would drink it, and indeed, James was the first of the apostles to be martyred. (Acts 12:2) However, tradition says that John was the only one of the 12 to die a “natural” death. Some people would say he wasn’t martyred, but they overlook the fact that in Greek, “martyr” just means “witness.” The point is that we are all to give our lives for Christ, whether it is in a moment, like James, or over a long lifetime, like John. After all, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would give us power to be His witnesses! (Acts 1:8) Japanese distinguishes between biological life and lifestyle, but I think it’s good that English doesn’t. Many people draw back from full commitment to Christ simply over the matter of their lifestyle, not wanting to be inconvenienced for their faith. That’s really pathetic, and Jesus said it leads to losing it all. We need to stand firmly as Christ’s witnesses, regardless of what it means for us personally, because, as Paul said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Since I’m already 77, I guess I’m in John’s grouping! I have had some difficult moments in my life, but I can’t complain, certainly not after considering what Jesus went through for me. Most recently, I was awake for three hours in the night, thinking about a situation that had resulted from my procrastination. I tried to release it to God, but that didn’t come easily, even though the song, The Battle Belongs to the Lord, kept running through my mind. Then yesterday, the Lord resolved the issue beautifully, and it’s all as clear as if I’d never procrastinated. That’s grace! I don’t know what the rest of my earthly life will bring, and I’m not to be passive about it, but I am to actively offer every bit of it to Christ as His witness, whether He takes me home in an instant or leaves me here past 100. My body, my soul, my life, belong to Him, for His purposes and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and this assurance. Thank You for Your continuing, overwhelming grace toward me. Help me give every moment of my life to You, in full, loving obedience, for You to work Your will in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!