28 December 2024
The darkest martyrdom must be the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. This
event is not recorded outside of Matthew 2:13-18, but it certainly fits Herod’s
reputation as a cruel and ruthless ruler. What senseless violence—and at
Christmas! Yet, it is as nonsensical as God become man or the King born in a
stable, as tragic as creatures who kill their Creator and Savior. In our world,
violence and evil never take a holiday. The slaughter of babies newborn and
unborn should give us pause; we, too, once dwelt in crib and womb. It could
have been us! Christ sanctified all life by His conception and birth. It could
have been Him; in fact, that was the whole idea.
Martyrs not of will but of deed alone, these babies died for the One who
came to die for them. Their deaths bear witness to man’s cruelty and the
world’s rage against Christ. Christianity isn’t all candy canes and snowflakes
but life in a real world subjected to the futility of sin. Peace on earth is
found only in Jesus’ blood. His death was the true martyrdom, bearing witness
that our salvation is accomplished.
“The Lutheran Witness,” December 2012
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