ALL TWELVE WERE BEHEADED – 17 July, 180 AD

On 17 July, in 180 AD, that is today, 1,844 years back, five women, and seven men were captured by the Roman soldiers. What was their crime? They were all Christians, and were carrying with them, “the sacred books, and the letters of Paul.” All twelve of them were tried before Roman proconsul Saturninus. They were given ample time to recant and renounce their faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. None of them were prepared to renounce their Saviour and their LORD. Since none would renounce their Christian faith, all twelve were beheaded.

They were simple people, with simple faith. Uncomplicated and uncontaminated by the persuasive arguments of how to survive persecution. They were so, because they believed wholeheartedly, what Paul had said to the early Christians at Philippi…
– “20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labour; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” – Philippians 1:20-23
HalleluYah!!! What a perspective on life, living and being a witness for the LORD Jesus Christ!

In the light of all the persecution, that happening around us, today…
– What are our thoughts on persecution?
– What are our concerns and fears?
– What is it that we want to do with our lives for our Redeemer?
– How do we want to face the persecution?
– How do we see life, living and our priorities, in the light of being a disciple of Jesus Christ of Nazareth?
– Would we be willing to die for Christ our Saviour, if such a situation arises in our lives as it did in the lives of the twelve in 180 AD?
– Would we join Paul in affirming, “FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN?” 
May the LORD help us, to always be true and faithful to our Redeemer, and to Him alone. Even so the LORD help us.