“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross
and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
Jesus died for us, in our place, paying for our sins
with His sinless life. Now He bids us to die for Him. In the course of
Church history there have been some who literally gave their lives for
Jesus. We call them “martyrs”—from the Greek word that means witness. While
all of us are called to be Jesus’ witnesses, some gave the ultimate witness
with their death. On pages xii and xiii in the front of our hymnal, Lutheran
Service Book, there is a list of “Commemorations.” We read:
“Our churches teach that the remembrance of the saints is to be
commended in order that we may imitate their faith and good works according
to our calling”.
Augsburg Confession 21
“The Lutheran reformers understood that there was great
benefit in remembering the saints whom God has given to His Church. The
Apology of the Augsburg Confession (Article 21) gives three reasons for such
honor. First, we thank God for giving faithful servants to His Church.
Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the
mercy that God extended to His saints of old. Third, these saints are
examples by which we may imitate both their faith and their holy living
according to our calling in life.
In every case, the purpose of our remembrance is not
that we honor these saints for their own sake, but as examples of those in
whom the saving work of Jesus Christ has been made manifest to the glory of
His holy name and to the praise of His grace and mercy.”
Of the many names listed there, nine entries are marked
as “martyr.” During this Lenten season we will devote our midweek worship
times to a consideration of some of these early Christian men and women who
gave the supreme sacrifice for Christ in terms of their earthly life. We
will learn their stories and consider the lessons they teach us about
following Christ today.
Come to these special services that I am writing and
preparing for this year. Come with us to the cross where we shall again see
our Savior in all His holy passion. Then we shall truly be prepared to
celebrate again on Easter His glorious resurrection that means our eternal
salvation. Then we shall truly be ready to sing anew:
Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs,
Cherubim, and thrones,
Raise the glad strain: “Alleluia!”
Cry out, dominions,
Princedoms, pow’rs,
Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:
