Would You Rather…

Recently while having devotions with my two youngest girls, Sarah asked: “Daddy, would you rather be beaten, go to jail, or be killed for Jesus?” Wow! I must admit I was a little taken back by such a question from my 7 year old. I replied, “Well, I’m not sure,” and then went on to talk with her and Emily about the three options.

Here are some of my reflections on Sarah’s question, which I have pondered a lot since she posed it. When I think of being beaten for Jesus, my mind immediately turns to Jesus’ flogging (John 19:1). Flogging was a brutal beating. A short whip, with iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones tied on to leather thongs, was the instrument used for flogging. Flogging was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death. Dr. William Edwards of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, writes, “The severe scourging, with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Jesus in a pre-shock state.” ¹ Would I rather be beaten for Jesus?

I then think about imprisonment. As I reflect on Scripture I’m reminded of Peter and John who were imprisoned on more than one occasion (Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4). Paul and Silas were in prison together (Acts 16:23). Paul went on to spend much time in prison and even ministered while a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philemon 1, 9, 23). Would I rather be imprisoned for Jesus?

The third option is death. As I have reflected on this option, I thought of Stephen, who was martyred for his faith (Acts 7:59-8:2). I thought of the apostles who died for their faith: Peter, Andrew, James (son of Alphaeus), Philip, Simon, and Bartholomew were all crucified; Matthew and James (son of Zebedee) died by the sword; Thaddeus was killed by arrows; Thomas was thrust with a spear; and, James (the brother of Jesus) was stoned to death. In Hebrews 11, commonly called the Hall of Faith, we read these words in verses 36-37, “others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword.” Would I rather die for Jesus?

Through the centuries, countless believers have been beaten, imprisoned, and even martyred for their faith. German pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was executed for his faith in April of 1945, after living in a concentration camp at Flossenburg. His letters were smuggled out of prison by some German guards. In one letter, he provides some great insight: “I believe that God will give us all the strength we need to help us to resist in all time of distress. But He never gives it in advance, lest we should rely on ourselves and not on Him alone. A faith such as this should allay all our fears for the future.” ² Would I rather be beaten, go to prison, or be killed for Jesus? No doubt, it is a question we should contemplate. As for me, I trust the sovereignty of God. I trust His plan for my life. And if He should call me to suffer in some form for His sake, then I know that He will give me the strength and grace to see me through just as He has done time and time again for all those who have been persecuted, and who are even now being persecuted, for their faith.

One last thought…Sarah’s question has also caused me to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. You can learn more about the persecuted church here, where you can also request a free copy of the book, Tortured For Christ. I hope the music video by This Hope will challenge you as you consider the life of one who was imprisoned for his faith.

Break My Plans by This Hope

¹ Learn more here.
²  Letters and Papers from Prison, ed. Eberhand Bethge (New York, NY: Macmillan Co., 1972), p. 11.