People of the Cross
by Kate Davies
I have been listening to a band called ‘Selah’, recently, and one of their songs which really impacted me was called ‘People of the Cross’. It was created with the charity Open Doors, who work with the persecuted Church. During the song you see pictures of men and women martyred for their faith.
I always thought saints and martyrs were people who lived long ago, people like Saint Katherine and Joan of Ark. But martyrs are still being made today. It’s just we don’t always know about them. They are just as much ‘People of the Cross’ as the martyrs of old. But what does it mean to be ‘People of the Cross’?
John 15:13-15 says, ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you’.
As Christ’s children we are called to reflect His character. The people in the video laid down their lives to ‘make known’ all the things that Jesus heard from His Father. I am not encouraging anyone to go and put their lives in danger, but I know I certainly could give more of what God has given me to this world.
So, let’s remember that martyrs are still being made today, but laying down our lives a little bit more does not necessarily mean physical death. It could mean buying someone who is sleeping rough a cup of tea or giving up your time to help someone. Giving away something that is precious to you also speaks of God’s Kingdom.
If we are Christians, we know God. We know His voice, know His love and know His forgiveness. Being given all that means we have been given so much. Let’s do our best to pass it on to our friends.
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You sent Your Son to pay the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could have relationship with You. We ask that You enable us to lay down our lives a little more each day, and to become more and more like You, our heavenly Father.
Kate Davies Kate joined the team at Ellel Grange in October 2017. She has a heart for binding up the broken-hearted, and seeing the captives freed. Originally a social worker, she is passionate to see families restored and children fulfilling their potential. She also enjoys being outdoors, riding, skiing, crafts and drinking tea.
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