“And others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in the deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground” Hebrews 11:36-38
As you know we desire to take the truth of the Word of God to Belize, Central America. There we hope to teach it to faithful individuals who will then be able to teach others also. It seems crazy to leave the comforts of the thriving United States and move our family to a third world country with a poverty rate of 79%. However, there have been others, others of whom this world is not worthy, who sacrificed much more, and endured great suffering because their joy was founded upon and focused on an infinitely glorious and valuable Truth.
The things in the above text happened to those who valued truth during the Apostle’s day. These things didn’t happen to them because they were poor or because they were bad people. These despairingly joyful people suffered these things because they knew thatthere was something more valuable than life, health, and temporal comforts. No amount of persecution or hardship would make them deny their Lord or stop spreading His Word.
Outfitted with the same fervor, missionaries of the 19th century especially paid high costs to take the truth to the nations. For example, Scottish missionary John Paton (1824-1907) was convinced that the Lord was leading Him to take the truth to the cannibalistic New Hebrides Islands (modern day Vanuatu). Soon after he and his wife arrived on the Island of Tanna she died of ill health. Paton was left with their new born child who later also died. He buried them both with his own hands. Then…did he go home? No, he stayed! He stayed for years despite death threats from the cannibals and many attempts on his life. Thankfully, today there are still healthy churches on those once cannibalistic island
Not to compare ourselves at all to any mentioned above, but because we have been riveted by a reality and gripped by a greatness that is bigger than ourselves we cannot help but take it to the nations. The truth of the Word of God is precious, and I’ll ask as Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Ironically, when Pilate asked Jesus that he was standing right before the Truth. Jesus gives us the answer in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.”
Knowing Christ is of great value. If you have truly tasted of the sweetness of knowing Christ (who is the Truth), all other pleasures fail to ultimately satisfy. It has caused those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good to undergo much pain, suffering, and hardship in defense of it or because of it.
How valuable is the truth? How valuable to you is truly knowing Jesus? Do you truly know Jesus? If not or if you’re not sure click on the tab marked “Bible” to your left and learn more.
P.S. Don’t forget the joy.
