Free Saeed!

The Bible gives us a very important admonition that we so often overlook and many of us have never really considered.  In fact, I don't know that I've ever particularly heard a sermon on this passage, and what a shame that is.

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also.  Hebrews 13:3

And then there's this other verse, that likewise doesn't capture a lot of our attention:

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Proverbs 31:8

Today we have an opportunity to remember those who are chained and to speak up for those who cannot do so for themselves.

Pastor Saeed Abedini is an American citizen who is imprisoned in Iran for the crime of being a Christian.  He faces daily beatings, being threatened at knife point, and life-saving medication is withheld.  He is being kept in the same cell as violent criminals--murderers and rapists.  This gentle man is a husband and father of two.

In the U.S. negotiations with Iran over their nuclear plans and possible sanctions, the plight of Pastor Saeed was not addressed at all!  He was never even mentioned.  This is an injustice!  How can we leave one of our own left to die, his only "crime" being that he loves our same Jesus!

PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE OUTCRY!!!!

How can you do this?

Well, start by signing these petitions:

ACLJ's Stand For Pastor Saeed Petition

and

Be Heard Project's Free Saeed Petition

Watch the following video for other ways to get the word out!



AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:  PRAY!!!

God hears our prayers on behalf of those suffering for His sake!  Lift up your voices!  Storm heaven, asking for his safe release and for his strength in this trial!  Pray that the powers that be with act justly!

Mamertine Prison

It was a FULL day.  First San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains Church).  Then the Colosseum.  Then the Forum.  And to top off our (sort of) persecuted Christian filled morning we visited the Mamertine Prison.

It's over 2500 years old.  The prison itself is very interesting.  The tour guide woman and colorful electric lights to "liven up" the intro is way over done.  So, ignore all that leads up to actually going down into the prison, which is like a cistern.

This cell once held St. Peter and St. Paul.

Water is continually dripping here.  The commentary that goes along with the tour says something of the effect, that this water connects us with the past.  Peter and Paul heard this same water dripping while they were here in captivity.

See the column where Peter was chained.  It is said that a miraculous fountain sprung up here so that he could baptize his jailers.  (Acts 16)

The hole where prisoners were lowered into the cell.

After viewing the cell, the tour goes into St. Joseph's chapel where all the tourists sit and listen in their headphones in their own languages (English, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.) to a very clear presentation of the Gospel.  They emphasize the love of God that covers over a multitude of sins.  Gana and I were so moved and impressed with the consistent testimony of Jesus right over the place where early Christians were imprisoned for their faith.  Redemption.

The Colosseum

"What have you done?

The voice of your brother's blood cries out

to Me from the ground." 

Genesis 4:10

We had to wait in line for about an hour to get in.  And as we entered its gates, we felt intercession stirring up.  The blood of the martyrs truly cries out from this place.

The name "Colosseum" comes from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood in front of it.

This place once sat 50,000 people per show.  It is said they could fill it and empty it as quickly and efficiently as we do today in our stadiums.

Gladiators, criminals, and wild animals fought to the death here in staged scenarios of every imaginable kind.  The floor has been removed so you can see all the passages underground.  Animals (everything from elephants and hippos to tigers, lions, and even crocodiles!) were kept underground in cages and lifted up in elevators!  The Gladiators or criminals (read: Christians) never knew what kind of animal would attack them nor from where they would attack.

A cross stands as a testimony to the torture suffered for its sake.

It gives me chills to even think of what this mask has seen.

Gana and I took a moment in the middle of the hordes of tour groups to pray for the persecuted Church.  Christians still die for their faith.

Outside the Colosseum there are "Gladiators" (pickpockets?) who will pose for pictures for tips.  They are as masculine and loud as you can imagine!  One of them shouted to this couple walking near us, "Sir, let your wife take a picture with me?  You're not insecure are you?" all the while flexing and strutting around.  When the man maneuvered his wife away, Gana said, "Hey, you can have my wife!"  The Gladiator said, "What?  You're not jealous?  Lady, you need a new husband!"

Every Gladiator needs a cell phone to hail his cab chariot.

First Roman Morning

We got a bit of a late start, as we had spent half the night walking around the city.  So, we got right to the sightseeing.  As I mentioned....practically everything worth seeing is within walking distance from Termini.  But, wear good shoes.  Lots of steps, cobblestones and uneven pavement.

The way I see it, there are two ways to do Europe.  The first is with a tour group like this:





20-50 people straining to hear a guide in front who prattles on about historical details,
politics or theology until you can get on with the seeing part of sightseeing.

 

The second is like this:



By now you know which method of tourism I prefer!

First stop, St. Peter-in-Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli):

This church, pictured above with the huge tour group, was built in the fifth century to house the chains that held St. Peter.

These are supposedly the exact chains that held St. Peter.  The early church hid them while Christians were persecuted.  Later when Rome converted they were placed on display.

This church is also famous for Michelangelo's statue, Moses.  It took Michelangelo 30 years to finish.  It's a powerful depiction of Moses, holding the Ten Commandments after coming down from the mountain with his face aglow.

This is a brilliant anecdote for having the Bible fully and correctly translated into one's native language:  Take a look at Moses' head.  Are those horns?!

Centuries ago, the Hebrew word for "rays" was mistranslated "horns." 

While we were at this particular altar, we took the opportunity to pray for the persecuted church.

Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. 
Colossians 4:18

After this, we had brunch.  Pizza and coffee.