ISIS isn’t content to kill. Their god demands pain, torture, violence, the shedding of innocent blood, death and………. and video! The god of terror can not be satisfied with a person’s death alone, he demands terror in the minds of the enemy, thus the horrific videos.
These murderers, in an attempt to horrify Christians world-wide, titled their media piece “A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross.” Not so smart.
Jihad John must have skipped the Christian weekend services his entire life. If he had attended, he would be shocked, amazed, horrified!
Millions upon millions of voices have lifted up their vocal chords to Almighty God, singing with all their heart, soul, mind and strength; “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I’ll lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.”
The cross. They hate! We celebrate!
We don’t fear what we celebrate. Celebration is indication of joy, satisfaction and success. In fact, we don’t run from persecution because we are worthy to live but because we are unsure we are worthy to die for Jesus! This is the emotion behind the early disciples statement, “And they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:31
Get it? REJOICING that they were allowed to suffer shame for Jesus. Annie Johnson Flint captures the essence in her poem, “Counted Worthy.”
This weighty burden thou dost bear, This heavy cross, It is a gift the Lord bestows, And not a loss; It is a trust that He commits Unto thy care, A precious lesson He has deigned with the to share.
Rejoice that He so honors thee And so esteems Of highest worth; the crown of thorns With Him to wear, And all the suffering of that crown with Him to bear, That by and by His glory, too, With Him thou’lt share.
Sorry, ISIS. We join Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros because, like him, we always have and always will cherish the old rugged cross. Thank you, ISIS, you have recorded one of Christianity’s greatest moments for us.
In Honor, Respect and Gratitude for Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros