Assassination (John 15:20)

A well-known Christian leader is assassinated.
His wife and children are grieving.
The country is shocked, and almost immediately conspiracy theories begin to circulate about who was really responsible.

This sounds like something that happened recently.

But it was 1968.

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only 39 years old. His wife, Coretta, was left to raise their four children. His murder shocked the country, and questions surrounding his assassination continued for years.

Now fast-forward to 2025.

Charlie Kirk was speaking at a university when he was shot and killed. He was 31 years old. His wife and two young children were left behind. Again, the country was shocked. And again, almost immediately, there were rumors, accusations, and conspiracy theories about what had happened and who might have been involved.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Charlie Kirk were very different men living in very different times. Their ministries, politics, and historical circumstances were certainly not the same. But both were very public about their Christian beliefs, and both were willing to speak about convictions that many people strongly opposed.

That made me think about something Jesus said to His disciples:

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 15:18 (ESV)

We sometimes think that if Christians are kind, reasonable, and respectful, people will at least respect what we believe. Sometimes they will. But Jesus never promised that they always would.

In fact, He told His disciples:

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
John 15:20 (ESV)

We see this throughout the Bible. John the Baptist confronted Herod about his sin and was eventually beheaded. Stephen openly proclaimed Christ and was stoned to death. The apostles were threatened, beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted because of their testimony about Jesus. And of course, Jesus Himself was rejected and crucified.

Paul later wrote:

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

That does not mean that every criticism of a Christian is persecution. Sometimes Christians are criticized because we are wrong. Sometimes we say things poorly. Sometimes we can be unnecessarily offensive and then convince ourselves that people are rejecting Christ when they may really be reacting to us. So we need to examine ourselves carefully. But there are also times when the problem is simply that biblical truth is not popular.

Jesus never told us that following Him would always be comfortable. Most of us will probably never face the kind of persecution that Christians have faced throughout history. I certainly do not expect to be asked to give my life for my faith.

But I can still ask myself a much simpler question. What happens when following Christ costs me something? What if I am mocked because of what I believe? What if someone thinks less of me because I believe the Bible? What if saying what Scripture teaches makes me unpopular? Will I quietly change what I believe so that people will accept me? Or will I remain faithful to Christ?

I hope I never have to face the kind of choice that Stephen, the apostles, or countless Christians throughout history have faced. But Jesus’ warning still applies to me.

“A servant is not greater than his master.”

If Christ was rejected, I should not be surprised when following Him sometimes brings rejection as well. The question is not whether I can make everyone agree with me. I can’t. The question is whether I will remain faithful to Christ when it would be easier not to.

I pray that I will.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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