Standing with the Persecuted

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” — Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)

In the year 311, a Roman emperor named Maximinus began a cruel persecution of Christians in Egypt. Many believers were arrested and taken to Alexandria to be tried, and some were killed for their faith.

Antony left his desert cell and went to Alexandria. “Let us go too,” he said, so that if called, they could stand with those who were suffering.

Athanasius says Antony longed to be a martyr himself, but he didn’t hand himself in. Instead, he spent his time caring for Christians who had been arrested: visiting those in prisons and in the mines where they were forced to work, encouraging those on trial to stay faithful, and staying with those who were condemned until the end.

The governor ordered that no monks should appear in the courts or stay in the city. The other monks hid. But Antony washed his cloak and stood the next day on a high place where the governor would see him, “shewing the readiness of us Christians.” He wasn’t trying to be reckless. He was refusing to be frightened into abandoning his friends.

Antony wasn’t martyred. Athanasius says God kept him alive to teach many others. But this chapter shows his courage and his love for people who were suffering.

Today, Christians are still persecuted in many parts of the world. Hebrews tells us to remember them as if we were in prison with them. We can pray for them, learn about them, and support organisations that help them.

Closer to home, you can stand with people who are being picked on or left out. That takes courage too. Antony didn’t look away from suffering. He went towards it.

One note of wisdom: standing with others doesn’t mean putting yourself in real danger. If someone is being bullied or hurt, the bravest and wisest thing is often to tell a trusted adult and stay alongside the person who is suffering.

One thing to do this week: this week, find out about one country where Christians are persecuted today and pray for them each day. And look out for someone at school who is being left out or picked on, and stand with them in a practical way.