Five young seminary graduates were returning home to France after spending time in Geneva with John Calvin. Upon entering France they were arrested, and in the months that followed they corresponded often with Calvin. One letter, in March 1553, spoke of their blessing in suffering for Christ:
‘We want you to know that although our body is confined here between four walls, yet our spirit has never been so free and so comforted, and has never previously contemplated so fully and so vividly as now the great heavenly riches and treasures, and the truth of the promises which God has made to His children; so much so that we seem not only to believe and hope in them but even to see them with our eyes and touch them with our hands, so great and remarkable is the assistance of our God in our bonds and imprisonment. So far, indeed, are we from wishing to regard our affliction as a curse of God, as the world and the flesh wish to regard it, that we regard it rather as the greatest blessing that has ever come upon us, for in it we are made true children of God, brothers and companions of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and are conformed to His image.’
By simply standing for Jesus they had suffered persecution, but through that persecution they had learned to be witnesses for Christ. Their letter continues:
‘By bringing us out before men to be His witnesses and giving us constancy to confess His name and maintain the truth of His holy Word before those who are unwilling to hear it, indeed, who persecute it with all their force – to us, we say, who previously were afraid to confess it even to a poor ignorant labourer who would have heard it eagerly.’
On May 16, 1533, these five Christian martyrs, though whom the Holy Spirit bore testimony to Christ in power, were taken out and burned at the stake. Theirs was a boldness for Christ that shook the world.
Where can we gain such boldness? Jesus said to remember His words so that we will be ready when persecution comes. The Apostles responded by praying for boldness to bear witness to Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit: “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,” (Acts 4:29).
What would happen in and through our lives if we remembered Jesus’ words and prayed as the Apostles did?
– Richard D. Phillips