People of Courage: Tank Man

On June 5, 1989, the world watched as one man became a symbol of peaceful protest against oppressive governments. One person of courage made a huge difference.

Communist China is a cruel and repressive nation that doesn’t tolerant any dissent by its citizens. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the late eighties gave the Chinese people hope that the same thing could happen in their own country.

Protesters gathered in Tiananmen Square near Beijing seeking democratic reforms.  The government quickly moved to suppress the demonstration. An anonymous person, nicknamed “Tank Man,” stepped in front of a column of 18 tanks.

Millions watched on TV as Tank Man stood in front of a single tank and refused to move out of the way. The vehicle swerved one way, then the other, to try to maneuver around the protester, but Tank Man positioned himself in front of the tank wherever it moved.  Later he climbed aboard and spoke with the driver before onlookers dragged him away fearing for his safety.  The tanks moved on, but the image of one unknown man’s peaceful protest inspired the entire world.

We probably will never know the true identity of Tank Man, but we can never forget his bravery. He was willing to lay down his life, if necessary, for the prospect of freedom for the over one billion citizens of China.

Tank Man was a person of courage and an inspiration to those yearning to be free from authoritarian regimes. But Tank Man also challenges believers to reflect on our own commitment to the Lord. Would you willingly give up your life for the possibility that people worldwide would experience freedom in Christ?

That question is not rhetorical, but very real for a lot of Christians around the world. Believers in many nations, including China, are being persecuted today, and some are willingly giving their lives for the cause of Christ. I urge you to read their stories on the website of a Christian organization called “Voice of the Martyrs” (www.persecution.com).

Many of you live in nations that seek to suppress the gospel. I know because I receive a weekly report from my Internet Serve Provider listing the nations of this blog’s readers. Incredibly, some readers live in China where Christianity is not only forbidden, but believers are tortured for their faith. Many readers live in Russia or its former satellite nations where religion is outlawed punishable by imprisonment or death. Others reside in Moslem counties in the Middle East where even speaking the name of Jesus Christ is subject to immediate arrest and possible execution.

To those of you in these or similar nations, we pray that God will protect you from harm and give you the courage to stand firm in the face of possible martyrdom. You are an inspiration to those of us who call Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

I also warn those of us living in nations where religious freedom is taken for granted. The time is coming, perhaps sooner than imagined, where persecution will occur in our countries. Someday a metaphorical line will be drawn in the sand and we will have to make a choice. Do we stand for Christ despite the possible repercussions? Are we willing to face ridicule, harassment, intimidation, made outcasts, put in prison, or more deadly forms of suppression? Believers in Western nations shouldn’t think for one moment that it couldn’t happen here. In fact, we can already see some signs of repression taking place.

Jesus warned us in Luke 21:17, “All men will hate you because of me.” Let us embrace the challenge Paul issues in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”

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