They Refuse to Scatter

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus quoted the prophet Zechariah to His disciples, saying, "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’” (Matthew 26:31). Jesus was showing His followers that He was the Messianic fulfilment of that Old Testament passage — that He would be struck in His crucifixion and the sheep (His disciples) would be scattered for a time.

Since the time of Christ’s crucifixion, persecutors have targeted those who work to proclaim the Gospel as pastors and leaders in his church. Pastors in hostile areas and restricted nations today willingly, faithfully and joyfully suffer persecution as they fulfill their calling as shepherds. They consider it an honour to daily carry their crosses in imitation of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Good Shepherd.

Christians are targeted by those hostile to Christ because they serve in church leadership roles and are faithful in proclaiming the Gospel. Yet these persecuted Christians refuse to scatter.

How do these Christian leaders stand so firm in their faith? We might be tempted to speculate that their faithfulness is something God grants for a specific time and place, and that it does not apply to our own situation. But I think that conclusion is simply a convenient excuse for our lack of resolve to remain faithful at any cost in our own ministry assignments.

I have had the privilege of standing face-to-face with these exemplary servants of Christ, and I have seen one quality above all others that drives them to obedient faithfulness: They believe. These pastors and church leaders hold firmly to their faith in God alone, who transformed their lives.

They believe in God the Father and in His only Son, Jesus Christ. They believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and was crucified and buried before rising again on the third day. They know that the Holy Spirit convicted them of their sin and their need for forgiveness. They cling to the Word of God for encouragement and nourishment. They worship with the body of Christ and find fellowship with one another. And they faithfully await the return of Christ.

These beliefs spur them on to serve faithfully, even though their enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy them through the evil acts of those opposed to Christ.

In the passage Jesus quoted, Zechariah declares that two-thirds of God’s people will be cut off and perish while one-third survive. What happens to the one-third?

God says, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: 'I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:9).

May we walk in the same faith and faithfulness as our persecuted Christian family members, no matter the cost.

Pastor David Robbins

Director, VOM Church Leader Network VOM USA