Jim Elliot, Martyr
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. (Jim Elliot)
A Briefing reader has pointed out that this coming Sunday, 8 January 2006, marks the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and four fellow missionaries at the hands of the Auca Indians in Ecuador (with whom they were trying to share the gospel). Many Auca Indians subsequently turned to Christ when Jim's wife and daughter returned to live and work with them after Jim's death.
If you've never heard or read about Jim Elliot, I strongly encourage you to do so. There's a variety of information about him available on the net, and also in books such as The Journals of Jim Elliot and the accounts by his widow Elisabeth, Through Gates of Splendour and Shadow of the Almighty.
Quite some time ago I read Elisabeth Elliot's Passion and Purity. In it, Elisabeth shares the story of how she and Jim met and how their relationship progressed. I remember being struck by the great length of time between when they admitted their affection for each other, and when they finally married—a delay caused largely by Jim's desire to share the gospel with those who hadn't yet heard about Jesus. Now there's a man who clearly grasped Colossians 3:1-4:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
You may like to reflect on the stirring hymn the five men sang with their families before they flew to meet the Indians and then to meet their Saviour (see below). It goes to the tune ‘Finlandia’.
WE REST ON THEE (by Edith G Cherry, circa 1895)
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.