The more restrictive church view holds that a martyr is someone, who is put to death for their refusal to denounce Christ. Their exemplary courage for this ultimate act of sacrifice is a powerful testimony to their love for God and strong faith.
Second Maccabees (7:1-42 in Catholic Bibles before Job) recounts the courage of a mother and her seven sons, who were tortured and executed for defying the king’s order to eat pork in violation of the Mosaic Law.
Christ took a broader view of martyrdom than the church, equating it with discipleship. Jesus pointed out that a requirement for following him is to deny oneself and take up one’s cross daily (Mark 8:34). This means obediently doing the will of God, which involves taking the focus off self, in order to be attentive to the concerns and needs of others, such as was demonstrated by the early Christian communities (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32,34-35).
Even God himself in the person of Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:27; Phil. 2:7). At the Last Supper, to make a final impression about the crucial role of our Chrisitan duty to humbly serve, Jesus washed the apostles’ feet (John 13:4-17). If even Christ, who is our Lord and Master has come to serve, how can anyone ever think he or she is exempt from it.
The divine call to discipleship is a call to serve. The selfless giving of oneself is really about being a “living” martyr for Christ. We are reminded of Jesus’ words about anyone aspiring to greatness must serve the needs of all (Matt. 20:26; 23:11; Mark 9:35).
In our spiritual act of worship, we offer ourselves up as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Rom. 12:1). Loving service or TLC (tender love and care) is at the heart of Jesus’ concept of discipleship or martyrdom (Matt. 25:40; John 13:34-35). Those who truly have the love of God in their hearts do not serve him grudgingly or with obligatory resentment, but joyfully in a spirit of humility and compassion.
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Walking with Jesus Series, Refl. #125, Oct. 2025
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Copyright © 2025 by Christopher Clark