The 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya are men of valor and courage. They were killed by the terroristic group ISIS in 2015. They are highly respected for enduring great hardships just becasue they were christians. Through the recorded video clip of their martyrdom, the 21 martyrs of Libya are commended for allowing those of all beliefs, nationalities, and political platforms to bear witness to instantaneous sainthood through videography.
The 21 martyrs of Libya travelled to Libya to support their families financially. They did not pursue riches or to ensure a college fund for their children, rather they travelled to Libya out of the need to provide for the necessities of their families. What father would not want his children to have the basic fundamentals of life? These 21 Coptic men are commended for their desire not to let their families succumb to poverty and its devastating nature.
Rather they evaluated and by choice determined their families were worth the risk that could confront them in Libya with the ever-growing extremist activity. These 21 martyrs were not going to desk jobs, were not recruited for a specialized skill set but rather were voluntarily travelling to Libya most in hopes of construction-type labor. Hard working, devoted family men, who carried no weapons, and were not involved in any activities that can be considered taunting to the extremistists, could not at the time imagine, a beheading awaits them in their journey.
Many believe the stories of our 21 saints to be over exaggerated and beautified. The martyrdom of the 21 of Libya is a living history today of the more than 2000 years of Coptic Christianity and the history it holds so dear. Before God and before the world-it is common knowledge that the blood of these 21 martyrs survives and flows in their sons and daughters as history aligns itself once again.
Stories will grow of their courage, steadfastness, love of the Lord first and then of their families. Let us not destroy their great reputations by angry, hating hearts, rather let us pray for those who seem to have a need to kill, to hate, and to live their lives accordingly. Is it truly a wise God’s will to murder a certain sect of people-if it is then why create them at all?
Our Lord Jesus Christ did not act as a soldier, was not vindictive, nor did he take down a single life while being on this earth, rather he gave His life to all those who would believe in Him. He chose disciples that were peaceful and prayerful not those who were warriors. He chose those men who would run from a fight rather than be on the front lines yelling and throwing stones.
May their prayers be with us, and may our Lord always have the glory. Amen
