For the fourth Sunday of Advent: And whom do we persecute?

The following Bible story will help to illustrate this. In John we read that the risen Son of God appeared to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias and had breakfast with them. And when they had eaten breakfast He said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He repeated this question twice more, and every time Peter answered with yes.

What had led up to this?

Peter’s past had not always been all that laudable. It had taken him fairly long to understand what it means to follow the Lord. In the end, he was even prepared to die for the Lord. Right at the beginning of His discipleship things looked rather different. He was just a little calculating when he asked what he could expect for following Jesus? Peter denied knowing the Lord at His trial, because his fear got the better of him; it was greater than His love for the Lord. He denied knowing Him three times. And later, the risen Lord asked Peter three times if he loved Him—and thrice Peter answered yes. Peter had certainly made progress. He had been attentive, had understood, remained true and faithful to the Lord, and had also grasped the central message of Christianity: eternal salvation is what is important and not a few carefree years here on earth.

What about us? How much do we love the Lord? Our answer is probably, “A lot.” But is that really the case? Is that more than mere lip service?

We all have a past. Nobody is such a good person that he or she could not become better. Sometimes we quarrel with God, doubt in His goodness, retreat into our shell, and are miffed, jealous, and disinterested. And sometimes we are simply satiated and would rather just let ourselves drift along. Let us think again. There are countries where Christians face serious problems.

One hundred million persecuted Christians worldwide

To this day, Christians are still being persecuted. Open Doors, an interdenominational organization, estimates that about 100 million people in more than 50 countries are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ. One hundred million! North Korea, Somalia, and Iraq are ranked among the world’s worst three for Christian persecution. Persecution is not only physical hostility. Of course it is loathsome when Christians are imprisoned, beaten, tortured, or even killed because they believe in Jesus Christ—still a bitter reality in many parts of the world!

Persecution has another face: when Christians lose their job, or their children are prevented from getting an education, or families are chased out of their village because of their faith. When believing Christians have to reckon with consequences that affect their families, their possessions, or life and limb we are talking about Christian persecution.

Discrimination or harassment infringe upon Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” Most states signed this.

“Why are you persecuting Me?”

Back to our opening question. How much do we love the Lord? Are we prepared to suffer for Him instead of just letting Him serve us? To follow Him instead of persecuting Him? To see Him as a signpost and follow Him instead of going our own way? Saul had to put up with this question at the time. And we, whom do we persecute? Maybe our neighbour, who is maybe different? Or believes something else? Or speaks a different language? Or thinks differently?

Our love for God, for Jesus Christ cannot be greater than our love for the neighbour. This is an old insight.