WORLD MEDIA IN GODS HANDS

 

            

One Sunday afternoon in January 1956 a mission to reach a primitive tribe with the gospel ended abruptly as five young men lay dead in the jungle of Ecuador. The story of what happened on that day became a primary narrative for the young evangelical movement, reinforcing and illustrating to the world the core ideals. Their noble sacrifice and the heroic follow up work of family members Rachel Saint and Elisabeth Elliot inspired a generation of Christians some to go to the mission field and many more to live a sacrificial Christian life.

Without the extensive news coverage, most people would never have heard about the five men.  But why would a missionary story receive such a worldwide attention? With the Korean War over, there was very little major news. Television had improved and the media were hungry for news at the time. When the story of the five missionaries missing in the jungle of the Ecuador broke, the cerebrated life magazine photographer, Cornell Capa immediately flew to the Ecuador and joined the search party.

At that time the life magazine was a major news source through vivid photo journalism. Their January 28 1956 issue portrayed the whole story of operation Auca from the beginning flights over the Auca houses to the final tragic death of the men. Readers were visually transported to the jungles. They read a step-by-step account of the well planned operation from the missionaries’ diaries and letters. They saw what they saw when they flew over the Auca huts.

People were taken right to the beach where the missionaries had their first friendly visit with the Indians. The picture of primitive Indians with the five young Americans captured the public’s heart.  Water-stained film recovered from a Nate Saints camera found in the river intensified the impact. Through Capa’s pictures and personal accounts, people experienced the tension of the search party as it made the long trip through hostile Auca territory to and from the beach where they buried the bodies.  

As magazines in other countries carried the story, the world became aware of a quiet attempt to reach a remote tribe in the Ecuador with the gospel. The Ecuadorian government acknowledged the impact of the evangelicals on the country. President Ibarra invited representatives of all the evangelical missions to the place where he presented a plaque to the missionaries. All this appeared in the newspapers.

Shortly after this visas that had long been awaited by new missionaries were issued. A few years later the Ecuadorian government commemorated the death of the five missionaries by issuing postage stamps with their portraits, one for each missionary. In Christian schools and colleges young men by the hundreds were committing their lives to missions. Many wanted to replace the five men (Ambassadors for Christ)

As Paul wrote the Philippians epistle from his Roman jail, he rejoiced in his seemingly negative circumstances. He puts it this way “I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:18–20).

The word deliverance in this context is broad enough to encompass anything from Paul’s release from prison (due to a verdict of “innocent”) to his release from this life, by his execution. Paul knew that he was going to be delivered one way or another. Either he would be released from prison, or he would be put to death, thus releasing him also. But it was no big deal to him, because he had a healthy view of life and death.

This must have hit hard on the Philippians who saw God do so many remarkable miracles of deliverance in Paul’s life among them in Philippi (Acts 16:11-40). It would have been easy for the Philippians to associate God’s glory only with being delivered from one’s problems, not in being delivered in the midst of one’s problems. It is easy for us to dictate to God how He can and cannot glorify Himself in our lives. Paul wisely left all that up to God.

The phrase, “this will turn out for my deliverance,” is an exact quote from Job 13:16. Job said “though he slays me, yet will I hope in him. I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed this will turn out for my deliverance for no godless man will dare come before him”. Perhaps Paul was reflecting on Job’s experience as he wrote his letter. He purposely chose to employ the very words of Job, because they applied to his own situation as well.

Job was a righteous man whose suffering was not due to his sin (Job 1 and 2). Job’s friends thought he must have done something terribly wrong. But Job told them, “You are all wrong! One day when I stand before God, you’re going to see everything turning out for my deliverance. You’re going to see my vindication when God puts His stamp of approval on me.” Years later in this same sense, Paul knew he will be vindicated at the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul’s deliverance would come through the Philippians prayers. We tend to think of Paul as being naturally bold, but he often asked for prayer that he would be bold in his witness, because he knew that he was weak. He never underestimated the importance of intercession; he strongly believed in the power of prayer and asked others to pray for him (Eph. 1:19, Col.4:3,4; 2Thess. 3:1,2).

Paul did not want his words and behavior in the midst of his trials to bring shame to Christ; he relied upon the Philippians’ prayers to grant him boldness. The prayers of the saints strengthened him in his times of adversity and gave him courage to stand firm for the gospel.   Knowing that Christians were praying for him gave him great confidence.  

The second thing that gave Paul confidence was the help of the Spirit. Paul needed the help of the Spirit. It was impossible to live the Christian life in the power of the flesh. Paul wanted to be a faithful witness by relying on the Spirit. He was confident that the Spirit indwelling him was fully capable to handle any possible situation. Paul was trusting wholly in the one who could carry him through, whether life or death.

Paul wrote “according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything”.  He talked of earnest expectation and hope; it was not wishful thinking but an absolute expectation. He knew where he was headed and he was ready to go. This is the reason prison, could not get him down. It was but preparation for what lay ahead. Paul trusted that God would not cause him to be ashamed.

Paul admitted to the Philippians that he might not be released from this present imprisonment, but it might instead result in his martyrdom. But this did not worry him because Christ would be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death. The word “magnify” means to make great or to enlarge. But how can a mere human being ever magnify the Son of God? The stars look small and distant; the telescope magnifies them and brings them closer and yet they are much bigger than the telescope.

Paul was confident that Christ would be magnified in his body. The believer’s body is to be a telescope that brings Jesus Christ close to people. As they watch the live of a believer, they should see Jesus exalted and brought close. The believer’s body is a magnifying glass; Christ receives magnification by our actions. We are to make Jesus big to the world with our lives and lips! When we magnify Jesus, people take notice of Him; they are attracted to Him and embrace Him as their Savior.

In order to magnify Christ, you must adjust your expectations. How do you respond when life does not live up to your expectations? Most Christians become outraged and shipwreck their faith. Since you can’t always choose your circumstances, you might as well choose how you will respond to them.  To survive trials, you must recognize that God uses the prayers of His people and the power of His Holy Spirit to help you. Whatever comes your way persevere so that you can be vindicated when you stand before Christ.