By a Navigator Missionary in Asia-Pacific
Blood splatters and streaks of red cut across the backs of men—and even boys. Commemorating the loss of their spiritual hero, who was martyred 1340 years ago, this community annually spends a day wailing, chanting, and grieving.
Self-flagellation is central to the event. Standing in a circle of black-dressed onlookers, men wildly swing blades back and forth across their bodies. These sharp metal pieces rake their backs, adding new cuts to scars from previous years.
Sacrifice. Blood. Heart-wrenching anguish. Sorrow.
The good news of Jesus is that these things are his to bear, not ours. He has borne our griefs and carried ours sorrows. He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. He was wounded and crushed. And by his stripes, not our own, we are healed!
This is the good news of grace, which is desperately needed here.
