Jesus is the Bible’s central figure and the obvious example of one who withstood trials and suffering while continuing to heal and counsel. Jesus even did all of this, knowing he would face a horrific, grisly death for the sake of those same people. He is the best example for us to follow regarding dealing with real persecution and avoiding getting drawn into a martyr mentality. He shows us how to respond to someone who is stuck in that head space and how to respond to real martyrdom.
Forgiveness in the Face of Unimaginable Suffering
As he hung from the cross in agony, Christ beseeched the Father, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). He was able, despite real martyrdom, to honestly and graciously forgive those who drove the nails into his body, and who stood watch over the trio of men who were crucified that day. This was no sly attempt to win favor or sympathy - Jesus’ words would have stunned the people who could hear him but would have done nothing to end his suffering. His words transformed the life of one centurion who declared,
“Truly this was the Son of God!” - Matthew 27:54
Matthew Henry commented, “Christ upon the cross is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony, he pitied a poor penitent.” Another notable scene takes place at Calvary. Jesus was flanked by two men who were also being crucified. One of the men cried out, “‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying,
“Do you not fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” - Luke 23:39-41
The two others up there with Christ might have endured more than a day of agony, trying to push against the nail in their feet to get a breath. They suffered in the same way, yet the second man took responsibility for what he had done and used his remaining time to acknowledge who Jesus was and that he was a sinner in need of this very Savior. He glorified God; he chose to sacrifice all he had left - pride and anger - in the name of Jesus so that he could switch his focus from himself to his sin and ultimately to his Savior. The other prisoner used that time to put responsibility onto God, challenging him to prove he was God by ending their suffering as though this was his purpose in coming. With hindsight, Christians understand that suffering is inherent to every person’s faith walk. Jesus promised his disciples,
“In the world, you will have tribulation.” - John 16:33
He warned them that following him would certainly—not possibly—lead to suffering. David Powlinson wrote poignantly about the value of suffering, a value designed to work outwards. We grow in faith while experiencing the nearness of Christ during hardship, but also, “when you’ve passed through your fiery trials and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer.”
The Quiet Strength of Biblical Suffering
Jesus highlighted the faith of a poor woman who gave all she had at the offering plate. Jesus called his disciples to witness the widow’s actions, although she said nothing about them. She did not lament her situation or tell everyone how she had sacrificed what, to her, was a fortune. Jesus spoke for her, honoring the woman’s faithful heart. (Mark 12)
Several Scriptural figures suffered for a long time, and since they were human, we can be sure their endurance sometimes faltered. Perhaps they were resentful or doubtful at times. Yet, in the long run, it is their fortitude and humility that God chose to highlight in his Word. Joseph used his situation as a prisoner of the Pharaoh to grow in faith, and he maintained his integrity. The Bible highlights his faithfulness, and we see that, after many years of tribulation, the reward for his strong faith was of wider benefit to Israel and other neighbors of Egypt. He was truly abused, but as he said to Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him,
“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” - Genesis 39:9
Ruth was widowed as a young woman and could have left Naomi to find a man among her people. Instead, Ruth stayed with her mother-in-law Naomi and became part of the family tree, leading to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus. She sacrificed her hopes of happiness to care for Naomi, yet she never complained. Ruth, the thief on the cross, and Joseph all truly suffered. They did not suffer from a complex about suffering; they experienced real anguish of various kinds. For Joseph, this suffering was prolonged. They were not attempting to manipulate a person or a situation. Their responses to suffering help us recognize whether we are truly victims of someone else’s sin or are suffering under the willful delusion of a complex.
Serving God with Joy Amid Suffering
Each of them did care about something greater than themselves. Ruth cared for Naomi. Joseph did not want to sin against God. Jesus sought to obey his Father, and the thief recognized the beauty of Christ in the last moments of his life. A real Biblical martyr suffers while glorifying God and might not even realize the self-sacrifice within his or her choices. A real martyr does not make excuses and frequently exceeds what one might consider sufficient effort, a reasonable offering of time and energy. What this person gives truly costs the martyr something, but he or she sees all he or she has as belonging to God. He or she is happy to give it and, ultimately, to serve Jesus by serving others. A true martyr declares that God is good and that no persecution or personal sacrifice will take away the joy of serving him. He or she might regard an oppressor the way Joseph regarded his brothers in the long run:
“It was not you who sent me here, but God.” - Genesis 45:8
We might follow a direction and walk through an open door because we firmly believe this was God’s direction for us. Yet, the experience sometimes puzzles us. Life is too hard. We suffer and wonder if we are hearing God properly. Remembering that the Lord’s favor does not preclude suffering is useful.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” - Matthew 17:5
He was identified as God’s only Son. Yet, Jesus was permitted to experience great suffering, which he walked steadily towards, fully aware while showing compassion towards the sick and hurting. As beloved children of the Father, Christians know what his favor does not mean in this life before we enter into eternal rest and peace with Christ, where there are no more trials or suffering.
Final Thoughts
A false martyr invites witnesses to look at him or her, to offer praise or withhold rebuke. He or she believes that God will give good things to a good person, which is a belief in karma rather than in grace. A false martyr forgets that the Lord sees a person’s heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) He also forgets that no one is good except God. (Mark 10:19) God is not fooled by a shiny exterior. But even the self-righteous sufferer with a warped perspective can change. One Bible commentator remarks that Judah, the brother who devised the plan to sell Joseph and be rid of him (Genesis 37:26-270), “offered to substitute himself instead of Benjamin! He proposed that he be retained in Egypt for the rest of his life as the governor’s slave if only the governor would let Benjamin go home to his father”. Learning and changing are possible, but only when the so-called “martyr” makes a real sacrifice, relinquishing pride and ego to allow Christ to bring about growth and maturity to the humble benefit of others.
Part 1: What Is Martyrdom?
Part 2: Is Your Suffering Genuine or Self-Inflicted?
Part 3: The Powerful Example of Martyrs Who Endured with Faith
Sources:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-truths-about-christian-suffering
https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/joseph-genesis-372-5026/judahs-transformation-to-a-man-of-god-genesis-441-4515
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/23-34.htm
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