When it comes to following Jesus, there is just one problem with this human desire for the status quo. Jesus is always on the move, and he wants us to follow Him. Granted, in His life on earth He covered a relatively confined patch of earth. Visit Israel and you'll see how small the tarritory He covered really was. Take some comfort in this knowing that his call to 'Go' doesnt always require traveling great geographic distances.
Some times Jesus does require a special kind of relocation. The first Christains heard His word to "Go' and they obeyed. Listen to the list of cities where some of the diciples dies and you can see there mobility:
Matthew: Ethiopia 1575 miles
Mark: Alexandria, Egypt 300 miles
Luke: Greece 760 miles
John: Ephesus 632 miles
Peter: Rome 1397 miles
Thomas: East indies Aprox. 3500 miles
Simeon: Persia Aprox. 500 miles
I told you where the first diciples died, but not how! While initially the church found favor with all in Jerusalem ( Acts 2:46-47), it wasnt long before it was spoken against everywhere ( Acts 28:22) . This growing animosity toward the early Christains exacted a great price from Jesus' followers.
Spephan was martyred outside of Jerusalem. Matthew was martyred in Ethiopia. Mark was dragged to death in through the streets of Alexandria, Egypt. Luke was hung from a olive tree in Greece. John survived a boiling pot in Rome and later died of natural cuases in Ephesus. Peter was crucified in Rome. James the great was Beheaded in Jerusalem. James the less was thrown off the roof of the temple and then beaten to death with a club. Thomas was struck by a spear! Bartholomew was killed by having his skin ripped off while still alive. Jude was shot to death with arrows. Simeon was crucified in Persia. Pual had his head cut of by Nero in Rome.
If you are like me there is something almost romantic about the early deciples deaths but they were anything but romantic. They were hated men, persecuted for charishing the Savior they Loved!
The big point of all this is 2 fold.
- God somtimes calls us to relocate and when/if He does we can rest assured that He has great purpose.
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In a very real sence the Christain faith can be sumed up in the simple verse! (luke 9:23) Laying down our motives, ambitions, desires, hopes, and cares and knowing that if we Follow Him we will be right were we are suppose to be, even if that is in a boiling pot like John or having our head cut off like Pual!
