Safety, Goodness, and Christian Persecution in India

An Unlikely King

Do you believe Jesus is King? We frequently sing songs about Jesus being a wonderful counselor, a savior, the King of kings. But do you really believe it to be true? Because if you do – it changes everything.

It’s hard to imagine Jesus as king sometimes. He wasn’t exactly the king people were expecting. Born in a stable to a young, unwed mother. And yet His birth was still so dangerous, King Herod ordered the execution of all young males in the area. Jesus, even as an infant, was already threatening the status quo. Jesus was already not safe.

Safety and security are not concepts we generally have to worry about how they relate to being a Christian in the United States. We don’t face persecution for our face. The biggest concerns we may have on a Sunday morning are whether or not we will make it to church on time and whether the sermon will be short enough to beat the lunch crowd after church. But that is not the reality in all places of our world. Christian persecution in India is very real, and it is alarming.

Christian Persecution in India

Two weeks ago, a Set Free pastor was killed for his faith. He had a wife and a daughter. He was living into his calling as a Christian. It was just a normal day. Until it wasn’t. What’s more is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a volunteer, paramilitary organization operating within India, has called for the removal of all non-Hindus from India by 2020. They are main driving factor behind the Christian persecution in India.

Jesus is still upsetting the status quo. He is still not safe. His radical love is being shown to the people of India through Set Free’s ministry. People whom society considers less than human are coming to believe that they have sacred worth as children of God. And the powers that be don’t like it.

It seems familiar doesn’t it? Jesus ate with tax collectors. He accepted water at a well from a woman who sinned. The powers of that time didn’t like it, and He was killed for it. Jesus promised us we would never be alone, but He never promised safety.

‘Course He Isn’t Safe

“Aslan a man? Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the woods and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion—the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about being safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The sad reality is, until Jesus returns, being a Christian will never be safe. We may not have to worry about being attacked on our way to church, but following the One who said “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me!” will never be easy. We are called challenged to love our neighbors as ourselves, find the lost, and care for the least. Following Jesus will never be safe. But He is always good.