In Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, the autobiographical account of the family who provided refuge during the Nazi persecution of Jews across Europe, this identity was both living and active. In the words of Mr. ten Boom, "The master of this house demands that we open the door to anyone that knocks." Fittingly, he was referring to himself, even as he was referring to the Master who first alluded to the image. This line he offered to the many who objected to his behavior. To the Jews, he simply opened the door.
The ten Booms were living as Christ's Body, which meant that they must live as a true neighbor to those in need. When Mr. ten Boom decided to wear a Jewish star after it was ordered that all Jews must thereby distinguish themselves, he made the decision to live among neighbors, to see fellow human beings, not people with differences, not people beneath him, nor men and women facing an adversity that had nothing to do with him. "If we all wear them," he said to a man standing in line for his star, "they won't be able to tell any difference."
Our greatest task as Christians is not arguing, reasoning, defending, or preaching, but living as Christ's Body, living the words we profess with a love for both Word and neighbor, and a clear vision of the God who spoke them both into existence.
Before their arrest and subsequent sentencing to the concentration camp, the ten
Boom's pastor pled with them to follow an easier ethic: "It is the law," he said referring to illegality of harboring Jews. "And Christians must obey the law. Think of what you are risking for one Jewish baby." But Mr. ten Boom knew there was yet a higher law, "We are meant to obey the law of the state--if it does not go against our higher law of God."
Like the ten Booms, the Confessing Church that stood up to Hitler's regime was not trying to being relevant or contemporary, liberal, conservative, or rebellious; they were trying to be confessional. Saying no to Hitler, they were being who they claimed to be. They were living the reality of gospel they professed with their mouths. In the words of a dying Bestie ten Boom, "There is no pit so deep that Christ is not deeper still."
Christ calls us today to allow the Gospel to live itself out in our lives. He calls us to live as neighbors.
With Love,
Mike Tucker