Martyr to cause or martyr to Christ?
I remember finding Foxe's Book of Martyrs "too much work" to read and then devouring Jesus Freaks after first hearing the dc Talk CD. Years later, mere weeks ago, I received an invitation to a private reception to meet Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's Cabinet Minister for Minorities and first ever Christian member of the Cabinet.
Bhatti was on a campaign to change his nation's blasphemy laws. Engaged in the work of standing with and for our persecuted brothers and sisters, I decided to attend.
As part of preparing for the evening, I was privileged to read a draft copy of a book on Pakistan's blasphemy laws that is soon to be published by Voice of the Martyrs. I say "privileged" because the book prepared me for a depth of conversation that provided opportunity for over an hour of conversation with Shahbaz during the reception, and informed conversation with other attendees, including Shahbaz' brother who lives in Canada.
Shahbaz' life was in danger not so much because of his faith, but more because he was championing human rights and the freedom of religion that was part of the promise of Pakistan's independence in 1947.
The blasphemy laws had already resulted in the imprisonment (under threat of death) of a disproportionate number of Christians on the standard of a single witness allegation of blaspheming Mohammed. To avoid persecution of self, children or other family members - including charges bearing penalty of death - Christians were "converting" to Islam. One family relays the horrendous story of the rape of their three-year-old daughter because the family was identified as Christian.
Shahbaz knew that Christian responsibility extended beyond his brothers and sisters in Christ to others persecuted or discriminated against because of their minority status. Like Christ, his concern was for all people.
Already having experienced assassination attempts and time in prison for his faith, Shahbaz was fully aware of the seriousness of the threats on his life; all the more so after the assassination of Salmaan Taseer, the Muslim governor of the Punjab province, by his own security detail in January. Yet, after our meeting in the freedom of Ottawa, Shahbaz was preparing to head home not with a request for a more trustworthy security detail but for prayer. He expressed that he knew God's call to this purpose in his life. At 42, he had not married so as not to endanger a wife or children. Knowing he was a target and strong candidate for martyrdom, Shahbaz Bhatti pursued his cause because of his calling from Christ.
Less than a month later Shahbaz lay dead, shot in his car. Those first on the scene note that he had his face and outstretched open arms turned upward, as if in worship.
Asked on Facebook for my own personal take-away from our 60 minutes or so of conversation, I replied:
"A month to the day from meeting Shahbaz, I was privileged to attend a requiem mass for him on Parliament Hill. I feel I have rubbed shoulders with a man both prepared to be and now a martyr for Christ. If Shahbaz Bhatti's legacy is fully grasped by the body of Christ, we will be more concerned that the minorities in our midst experience the Jesus in us and we will be prepared to stand in our lives in a way that examples His presence through humility and faithfulness.
"By God's grace, Minister Bhatti's death will draw the attention of the world to the plight of those suffering persecution for their religious beliefs, Christians (the most persecuted group on the planet based on sheer numbers) and others."
To view Shahbaz Bhatti's final video message, which he recorded to be released in the event of his death, please click here.
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