An Epic Endorsement

     I've always been intrigued by the concept of endorsement deals.  Companies give multi-millions of dollars for men and women of the hour to associate themselves with a product.  The desire is to allude people into believing that said product is better or more prestigious than another of its kind.  The company gambles this big money in hopes that during the contracted time frame, untapped or bored consumers looking for something else to whet their whistles will walk through the sliding glass door and show them the money.  Not necessarily because the product is so great but because trendy celebrity or prestigious person chooses to promote it ultimately promoting themselves as well.  
    Not many would question the athlete or famous person for doing this.  Who wouldn't be willing to pledge allegiance to something when they are being paid millions of dollars and given worldwide recognition to do so?  Most people if approached with the promise of money, prestige, fame or worldly comfort would be hard pressed not to take it - or for those who are mightier than most - hard pressed not to at least consider taking it.  Justifying it could be easy.  If the deal only lasted for a few years, then after all ties are loosed, the bank account is fattened and the diet soda they really like is once again sitting on their table, most would feel absurd not to sign on the dotted line.  Loyalty to a company who took care of them when they were but a dreg on the bottom of the glass would be broken for the promise of riches, comfort and close association with the greater persons, places and things of the world.     
          As I read the stories of people like prisoner Said Musa, Pakistan's former Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, and the many men and women tortured and killed because of a refusal to renounce belief in Christ, my mind swirls around this idea of endorsement.  The stories of the oppressed and tortured are no longer being kept locked away in their dungeon-like cells.  They are crossing barriers and breaking free spreading among the masses as a witness for those of us who have yet to stand in Peter's shoes.  Standing at the point of coercion, forced to decide between renouncing or keeping silent about faith in Christ or facing mockery, isolation, hatred and God have mercy, horrible death.       
     In Hebrews, we are told, "Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword.  They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

     These are said to be a great cloud of witnesses.  Witnesses to what?  To showing how awesome is the person of Christ that one would be willing to forgo an offer of money, prestige, fame or worldly comfort.  Without receiving the promise, when hard pressed on all sides they refuse to break loyalty to the One who took care of them when they were but a dreg on the bottom of a glass.  The One who endured brutality, being mocked, spat on, beaten and nailed to a wooden cross to die a torturous death.  The pioneer who ventured through the wilderness before them so they might consider him and not grow weary and lose heart.  Men and women who cannot say they benefitted with prosperity from allegiance to the Lord when they were being tortured and oppressed because of Christ, or fighting for those who are.  They echo the apostle Paul's claim, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8)
     Whatever gain they had is counted as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.  They're not suffering for him because of the selfish joy of knowing a thousand virgins wait for them after death or that they'll walk into a gold mansion pimped out just for them.  On the contrary, they suffer and forsake it all because being with Christ is better than any worldly pleasure.  It's an epic endorsement of a God who is infinitely greater and more valuable than any rubbish of this world.