Unquenchable flame

Ever since the spectacular lighting of the Olympic flame in Beijing last week I’ve been thinking about a flame that’s been burning brightly since the first century AD, when Jesus issued what has become to be known as the Great Commission.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit….” Matthew 28: 18-19 NLT.

Through the centuries governments and extremists have attempted in vain to quench that flame through persecution and killing of those who carry the flame in their hearts.

Probably most have heard by now that the Chinese government persecutes, imprisons and martyrs those who are considered guilty of participating in the illegal Christian activities. President Bush said in an interview in Beijing last week that he had urged China’s President Hu Jintao to expand religious freedoms.

The persecution in China has not stifled the movement but instead has fanned the flames to burn more brightly. Christians in China are reported to represent the largest evangelical movement in the world at 60 million people.

Voice of the Martyrs ( http://www.persecution.com/ ) tells the story of a group of young orphans huddled in an unheated apartment on a cold Christmas eve reading their Bibles. Under pressure from the Chinese police the landlord forced them out of the apartment on to the street, claiming their orphanage and activities were illegal.

The show of such strong force against a hapless group of children only seems to underscore the fear that the authorities have for the unquenchable flame.