The large jet airplane piloted by Samaritan Purse pilots lifted off the runway at Kabul airport in Afghanistan. Aboard the fully loaded plane were a group of United States citizens who had spent the last several days, months, and years introducing and presenting their faith in Jesus Christ to the local citizens. They were now in danger of endless attacks for their faith. Beheading was a common course of action. Each and everyone was identified by the local citizens as: “people of the cross” The local Taliban regime referred to this group as….”the followers of the hostile Egyptian church.” We must remember in this part of the world Christians live and often die at the hands of their neighbors as men and women who have lived under the glorious shadow of the Cross of their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is noteworthy here in America believers wear the symbol of the Cross around their necks. In Roman times the Cross was reserved as a heinous punishment for offenders of Roman law. It was a public spectacle meant to instill fear and dread to onlookers It was symbolic of a brutal execution with death often taking many hours—sometimes days. It was Jesus who turned this instrument of torture and shame into a symbol of life-changing victory

In the days to come, we must remember the American citizens who are still stranded and pray that our country will keep its pledge to leave no one behind. The Bible is very clear. Without the cross, there is no Christianity. It was the apostle Paul who preached the Gospel, the power and pardon of the Cross. I am delighted to be called a person of the Cross.