John 15:12,13 “This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
On the national news these days is a situation that is presently happening in Iran with the woman accused of adultery. The authorities in Iran say that she confessed but others are pointing out that she did so only after one hundred lashes. She is sentenced to die by stoning and it is causing a worldwide reaction by human rights groups.
Miriam Adeney in her book, Kingdom Without Borders, tells of martyrdom in China:
“You have some nerve!” shouted the judge as he struck the bench. “You are so young and yet you dare to deceive the People’s government. … Little child, I promise you there is not heaven for you here. …”
The year was 1983 and the place was the province of Henan. This story has been recorded in China’s Book of Martyrs by Paul Hattaway. Hattaway has amassed a spine-tingling account of faithfulness across time and space. While it is true that many Christians in China move freely, other have suffered. The history of their faithfulness is part of the noble heritage of Jesus’ people in that land.
Seven years before the judge shouted at Xiaoxiu in the court room, her mother had fallen sick. Xiaoxiu’s ancient great-grandmother urged the woman to trust in Jesus. Lishi did and recovered. Over time other family members believed, and a house church began.
Then a young woman named Meichun was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Meichun’s sister was married to Xiaoxiu’s brother, Wuting. Meichun came to the Shi household for prayer. But she died.
When someone dies in a house other than his or her own, the householders may be held responsible legally. Grieving, Meichun’s family filed a complaint. So police arrived at the Shi home and arrested all but the youngest children.
In the courtroom the next day Lishi, the mother, was the first person to stand trial. When she described how the family had prayed, the judge go so mad that he told the guards to kick her to the ground. They beat her until she fainted. Then they poured a bucket of water over her to revive her and sent to her cell.
Although her face was bloody and her arms were bruised, she whispered to her children, “Remain strong! We are considered worthy to suffer reproach for the Lord.”
Her two sons, Wuting and Wuming, were unrecognizable when they were returned to their cells because they had been beaten so badly.
The twenty-four-year old sister, Meizhen, was a school teacher. She was beaten so severely during several “confession” sessions that witnesses said there was not a square inch of her body where she skin had not been broken or scarred.
Finally the three minor children were called to give testimony. Xiaoxiu was one of those. Each child claimed responsibility for praying for Meichun. Each one wanted to take the blame and shift it away from their mother and older brother. (emphasis mine) The court had never seen anything like it.
When the court convened for its final session, seven members of the family were sentenced to prison, one for life. Lishi and her son Wuting were sentenced to death.
With a fatal sentence hanging over his head, Wuting paused as he walked past his wife. “Mieying, my beloved wife, why are you crying?” he said softly. How can I not drink the cup that the Lord has given me” … Beloved Meiying, it is only that I will be one step ahead of you. … Don’t be sad. Be strong and courageous. Whatever happens, you must live fully for the Lord. Don’t waste any time.” (emphasis mine)
Meiying and her mother-in-law, Lishi, shared a cell. One night they both dreamed that they were flying, dressed in white. As they rose, they saw “The Beloved.” His arms stretched out to welcome them and his scarred hands wiped their tears.
Two weeks later Lishi and Wuting were executed … they showed no fear, according to a house church historian named Danyun.
“May we pray?” Lishi asked. A soldier nodded. They knelt, and prayed to the Creator, “forgive our country and our people. … Save our country and our people. … Lord, we ask you to receive our spirits.”
They were shot.
When relatives retrieved the bodies, they found a note in Wuting’s clothes. “It is now finished. Do not be sorrowful for me. I am only going to that place before you. … For my funeral, make it very simple. Take care of my two children and let them know that I died for the Lord.”
It is the deep love of Jesus that has grasped the lives of people in China and has been the seed that has produced the millions who today believe in Jesus and continue to live and die for Christ. And we within the United States need to let that same love be at work in our hearts and lives. That truly is mission!
Editor’s note: This was the July devotional World Missions Board.
