Easter time, we reflect on the steps that Jesus took to the cross and on His death, knowing that our own sin and brokenness were part of the reason why He needed to die. As we reflect and remember, we see that Jesus, in His life and ministry, faced brutal persecution because of who He was and because of the Gospel message that He brought.

‘“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.’ John 15:18 (NIV)

Jesus was despised by many in His life and ministry, reviled by some in His death and still some feel the same about Him today. Jesus in these words by John described that He was hated by the world. As we remember Jesus’ persecution this week, we also want to take an opportunity to remember that today some Christians are also hated. Some Christians around the world follow in Jesus’ footsteps, carrying their own cross in the form of extreme persecution.

‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.’ Matthew 10:16-18 (ESV)
 
Jesus informed his disciples that they would face great trouble. He describes how they will face ‘wolves’, they will face attack and face those who want to devour and destroy them. Jesus was correct, His first disciples faced immense persecution. The majority were arrested, tortured and killed for their faith. Unfortunately, the same levels of persecution that happened to the early Church still happen in some places today.
In our society, where we have high levels of religious freedom, it can be easy to forget that some today are truly hated because of their faith. Some individuals are cast out of their families, some lose their jobs, some are arrested and physically harmed, and some lose their lives, just as many of those in the early Church did. 

‘But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.’ 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 (NIV)

Paul’s word to the church in Corinth is primarily speaking about spiritual gifts, but the metaphor of the Church body, with every part valued, honoured and needed, extends further than spiritual gifts. When a part of our earthly, physical bodies is suffering, for example when we have a headache or a broken bone, our whole body feels this pain and is affected. The same is true of the metaphorical Church body. As Paul says, when other parts of the body are suffering and in pain, we are all affected.

When other parts of the Church body are facing persecution, we do not want to be blind to them or ignore them, but realise the role that we have to play in praying, supporting, encouraging and speaking out for them. Persecution of our brothers and sisters because of their faith is a family matter, as much as it is a human rights issue.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)

This Easter time, as we remember Jesus’ death, we also celebrate His resurrection and the great hope that is found for those who are Christians. In 2025, all Christians of all denominations and confessions will celebrate Easter on the same date. This does not happen every year. We have the opportunity to celebrate together that we are alive because of Jesus and that we have eternal hope and life because of Him. We are joined together in unity in this because we all belong to Him.
Let’s pray that persecuted Christians across the world this Easter time will be reminded that despite their hardships and their struggles, they have an eternal hope that does not put them to shame or disappoint. The God who sees is not blind to their great pain and suffering, but is with them in it, has Himself been through it and will reward them greatly for their faithfulness. We grieve with our brothers and sisters but we do not grieve without hope. “Take heart! I have overcome the world!” says Jesus (John 16:33b, NIV).

Prayer: 
“Father God, at this Easter time we remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted just because they love you. We remember their faith, their witness and we remember that Your kingdom is extending through them. Help them to not feel alone, help us to pray and to stand with them. Bring your justice where there needs to be justice. Expose persecution practices across this world. Change hearts of prison guards and leaders so that those enchained may be set free. In the meantime we ask you to encourage persecuted Christians across the world afresh this Easter time. Fill them with a deep everlasting hope that does not diminish when they face struggles but instead only grows. We ask that the faithfulness and the witness of those who are facing extreme persecution would bring many souls to faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Suggested Practical Steps: 
- Send a letter of encouragement to a Christian facing persecution through Open Doors here.
- Decide to pray regularly for our brothers and sisters facing persecution, resources from Open Doors (includes resources for all ages) and Global Christian Relief may be helpful for this.
- Give to one of the linked organisations in this section. All of them encourage, support, raise awareness and advocate for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Additional Resources: 
- The 21 is a short film animated in the style of Coptic iconography that honours the 21 Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS in Libya in 2015. You may wish to watch it to be inspired by the faith of the men involved and to help you in your prayers for persecuted Christians.
- The Voice podcast by Release International, featuring the voices of some of those who are persecuted.