How Should We Remember Mistreated Christians?

God’s family is the BIGGEST family there is and includes everyone who follows Jesus. This family is found in local churches all across the globe and is filled with brothers and sisters who care about one another because of their shared faith in Jesus Christ.

The early Church was born in the middle of crowded Jerusalem streets filled with “God-fearing Jews” of every nation who came to celebrate Pentecost (Big kids can read more about this in Acts 2). One by one His disciples, followers of Jesus, began to go out and share the good news of salvation as Jesus instructed them in Matthew 28. Their story is told and recorded as history in the book of Acts.

During this time, the world was ruled by Rome. While news of Jesus was able to spread quickly throughout the empire because of willing servants, sturdy Roman roads and a common language, the family of God also faced persecution and was treated badly because their new faith was difficult for many to accept. Many of the disciples spent time in jail, and some even gave their lives because they wouldn’t stop telling people about Jesus. Their sacrifice allowed the message of Jesus to spread throughout the entire world, passing from person to person and family to family, until one day someone told me and someone told you about the wonderful gift Jesus gave us when He offered us salvation. 

I’m so glad we live in a country that allows us to follow Jesus and serve Him according to the Bible. But sadly, not every member of God’s global family has the same opportunity that we do. Like believers in the early church, Christians throughout history have faced challenges when living out their faith in Jesus in different parts of the world. Today many countries have laws that make being a Christian illegal. Churches are forced to meet in secret, and sometimes Christians are put in jail just because they serve Jesus. Like believers in the New Testament, there are many brothers and sisters in God’s family mistreated for their faith. We are all part of one body, the body of Christ. So when one member suffers in any part of the world, “all suffer together.” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

I know this reality is very sad and can even feel a little scary, but I want to remind you that we can face sad and scary things with Jesus’ help. God promises us in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” No matter what trouble we – or any other member of God’s family – may face here on Earth, we will never face that trouble alone. Jesus is always with us.

So how do we help? The Bible tells us in the book of Hebrews how we can help our brothers and sisters facing persecution. Can you help me find Hebrews chapter 13, verse 3? Hebrews is in the New Testament. 

When we remember our brothers and sisters in prison as if we were in prison, we pray for them with urgency. We remember them and pray like we are there with them. We trust God will bring them peace and comfort, and ask that He does powerful things through them, even though they are in prison! We can be confident He uses every situation for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), even the really hard ones! We can be sure one day He will make all things right. Revelation 21:4 says: