Some of the bravest martyrs this
generation may ever know are teenagers—and perhaps even younger.
When Islamic State (ISIS) militants
threatened children in Iraq with death if they did not promise to follow Islam’s
‘prophet’ Muhammad, they defiantly stated, “No. We love Yasua.” [This spelling is similar to the Hebrew name,
Yeshua, which is translated ‘Jesus’ in English.]
Andrew White, an Anglican priest
known as the ‘Vicar of Baghdad,’ has seen violence and persecution against
Christians unprecedented in recent decades. In a CBN
News video, he recounts the story of the Iraqi Christian children who were
told by ISIS militants to convert to Islam or be beheaded. “ISIS turned up and they said to the
children, ‘You say the words that you will follow Muhammad,’” White says on the
video. “The children, all under 15, four
of them, they said, ‘No, we love Yasua. We
have always loved Yasua. We have always
followed Yasua. Yasua has always been
with us,’” White recounted. “[The
militants] said, ‘Say the words!’ [The
children] said, ‘No, we can’t do that.’ They
[ISIS] chopped all their heads off.”
We have heard it said: “The blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
In keeping with God’s purpose, these four Christian Iraqi children have
glorified His name and their martyrdom will advance the Kingdom of our God and
of His Christ.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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