“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26).
They called him, “Jesus Christ’s man in Burma,” but the title was no compliment. It was a term of derision, scornfully hurled at a young missionary by the name of Adoniram Judson. He had gone to Burma with the intention of evangelizing the beautiful little country where people bowed to the image of Buddha. He was all of 25 years of age; his wife, but 21, when the ship, The Georgian, dropped anchor in Rangoon harbor on July 13, 1813.
Was he greeted warmly upon arrival? Not exactly! Told by government officials that he was not wanted there, a friendly customs agent told him the best thing he could do would be to get back on board the ship and go home. “I know what I’m talking about,” he said, “when I say to you … there is nothing for you here but heartache.”
Time proved his words to be prophetic, but even the King of Burma, as well as the combined military forces of the country, couldn’t stop this determined young man from planting the cross on Burmese soil. It was not without a price, though. Death eventually claimed not only two of his children but his dear wife as well, whom he deeply loved. Still, Judson wouldn’t quit.
Right now, you may be thinking to yourself, “Didn’t you say this fellow—what’s his name—yeah, Judson–went to Burma in 1813? Well, that was a long time ago. Why bother to even mention someone who lived so long ago?”
There’s a good reason. You see, the kind of stuff Adoniram Judson was made of is the kind of stuff we badly need today. Why? We’ve lost sight of goals, of character, of commitment, and fierce determination. Taking the path of least resistance, we often settle at the level of mediocrity and we accomplish really nothing. Judson, unlike some today who settle for a pension and a paycheck, wanted only a cross and a crown.
When the British invaded Burma, although he was an American and not a subject of the English crown, Judson was thrown into prison. In the eyes of the Burmese king, he was a foreigner and therefore, was suspect. For two long years, the task of translating the Bible into Burmese was set aside as Judson languished in prison, being subjected to ongoing torture, harassment, and sickness. He despaired of life itself. Fearful that his precious manuscript of the translation of the Bible into Burmese would be destroyed while he was in prison, his wife sewed the translation into a pillow and took it to the filthy prison where Judson was interred. He slept on it, prayed over its pages, and wondered whether he would ever live to finish the task before him.
When the British forces advanced towards the capital city, Judson, anemic and weakened by continual bouts of dysentery, was forced to interpret for the Burmese government and help negotiate a truce. Finally, Judson was free, but his translation was gone. Instead of cursing his fate, he thanked God that he could start the task all over again.
He was ready to start over when a faithful servant appeared one morning, dangling a dirty bag with a string loosely holding its contents. Judson looked inside—his heart leaped with joy. Was it? Yes, it was! The precious manuscript he had used as a pillow had been found outside on a trash heap by a faithful friend. It had been thrown out by the executioner who found it too hard to use as a pillow.
“Jesus Christ’s man in Burma”: a term of derision which was, in reality, a title of honor and praise. What a man!
Can it be said of you, that you are “Jesus Christ’s man?” A term of derision, or a title of honor? Think about it!
Resource reading: Acts 11:20-26.
