Worthy

I read something this morning in World magazine that dug deep into my heart to the point of causing me to tear up. The story [The Death Of An Archdeacon, Nov. 7 issue] told about the increasing death toll in southern Sudan. While a peace agreement has been in place since 2005, the government there continues "its forced Islamization and Arabization" with little patience for Christians. One such Christian was Archdeacon Joseph Mabior Garang of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. One late August morning while leading a prayer service, the militia attacked his town, killing 43 people and injuring 62. Mabior was one of those who died. Mabior was shot twice in his legs. The part that got me was what happened after he was shot.

Writer Faith J.H. McDonnell says "30 men and women from the church and town, including tribal chiefs, soldiers, a university student and other youth leaders, and several of the town's oral historians, covered Mabior with their own bodies. All 30 gave their lives in their effort to protect him. Mabior died two hours later."

I called to my husband who was reading in another room to tell him about this and said, "I don't think I even know 30 people in one place who would do this for me." Imagine 30 people jumping in the line of fire to protect this man. Imagine him watching as each was killed in his place. My heart just aches thinking of it.

How awesome a man he must have been that they went to protect him. How much they must have loved him, a man worthy of giving their lives for.

We have one who seeks our life because of our love of Christ, and not our earthly lives so much as our eternal ones. Beth Moore once wrote of him: "We have a powerful enemy who - let me say this clearly - absolutely hates us." Peter tells us he prowls around like a lion seeking to destroy us: our adversary, the evil one, Satan.

While Satan attacks on a regular basis, it's important to remember Jesus already stepped in the line of fire for us. He died to save us, Romans 5:8 explains.

I try to visualize Satan coming for me again and again and watch as Jesus steps right in front of me. I see him hanging on that cross in utter agony for me. It's a powerful image, one that drives a person to their knees to beg for forgiveness.

What's so amazing about this is Jesus did this for every single person, every single sinner. Some don't acknowledge it; some don't absorb the depth of it; and some don't even know about it. Sadly, some think they are too unworthy to have had Christ die for them.

Well, we all are unworthy sinners, but God certainly doesn't think so. He apparently finds us worth dying for. He must love us very much.

I pray everyone comes to know and understand this.

And I pray for the people of Sudan.

[Photo shot by Rev. John C. Daau as found on www.theird.org]