Whose Mark Do We Bear?

Romans 8:31-39

What was the mark thatVartan and his friends bore?

Of course, they had the scars of the war. And for Vartan, those were useless because they would fade away. I am quoting Vartan.

The Christian mark that Vartan and his friends bore was their testimonial life. A life that was ready to say NO to the Persian gods and YES to Jesus Christ.

General Vartan Mamigonian’s response was: NO to Zoroastrianism and YES to Christianity.

This is testimonial life. What do I mean?

A life which is ready to be lost for Jesus Christ.

A life where God is being glorified.

A life of martyrdom is not for anyone or any cause. No, No, martyrdom for Jesus Christ.

When we celebrate Vartanantz, it should make us examine ourselves and ask ourselves “Am I being a witness for Christ? Does my life reflect Vartan’s loyalty to Jesus Christ?”

I wish we encourage our youth and children to receive a solid Christian education. “Giragnoria Tebrots” (Sunday School) should be priority in our church life.

If we commemorate Vartanantz, it is because they were educated in Christian principles and were deeply devoted to them.

If Vartan and his friends were in a difficult political life, we too live in a difficult and dangerous political life. The Persian Empire was not comfortable by having Christian neighbors like the Armenians. They realized that both the Byzantines and the Armenians were Christians and this could be threat to them.

Vartan and his friends did not give up their belief because of political pressure. So at the WORST time they did their BEST.

How loyal we are to God in our life today?

Do we compromise our faith under pressure?

Today we, as Armenians, should be very cautious in our daily life and priorities. Christianity is not a religion that we practice as a ritual or remembrance during Christmas and Easter. No, Christianity is lifestyle. It is faith in Jesus Christ as personal savior and it is a lifestyle. Vartan and his friends were martyrs, because their lifestyle was different and their martyrdom was a reflection of their lifestyle.

Therefore, what was the mark of Vartan and his friends?

Two words: testimonial life.

2. Vartan and his friends had to choose. They had to decide.

The word of God is very clear. Jesus said: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…..” (Mathew 6:24)

Choice is a very important word in our daily life. We choose with whom we will spend time. We choose how to spend our money. We choose to help or ignore a person in need. We choose our life partner. We choose our career. We choose what kind of lifestyle we like to have. We choose our car, color brand, style. Choices, choices, choices, everyday choices.

We live in the USA. It is land of CHOICES.

When first I came to the USA in 1980, I was shocked by the choices to do in my life even in buying a simple humbugger.

Once I heard from a preacher that one can have 8832 choices in Starbucks coffee.

In one word, we live in the land of choices. I am worried that we are getting lost in all these choices.

Let me quote from Rev. Vahan Tootikian:

“More than fifteen centuries later, we, the descendants of Vartan and Vartanank, all have a choice as to whom or what we will serve. Choose we must, because it is inevitable that we will serve something or someone.”

Yes, INDEED, it is inevitable that we will serve something or someone.

He goes on saying:

“This is one of the strange paradoxes of life; we are released when we are captivated by someone or something.”

When Moses returned from the Mountain of Sinai, he found that his nation was worshiping a gold calf. He challenged his people to make a choice about whom they want to worship.

After some time, when Joshua took the leadership he was faced again the same issue. He found that his nation was not following God and he said:

“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefather served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 14,15)

Vartan and his friends said: “ Vasn Krisdosi, Vasn Hayrenyatz” “ For Christ and for the Homeland.” It is an affirmative choice.

The challenge is continuing with us today after 1555 years. Today we lost somehow the ZEAL that Vartan and his friends had: the ZEAL to serve God.

Two Sundays ago was Super Bowl. Many athletes and spectators were involved in this game. Did you hear what the choice of the wife of the Seahawks coach’s made?

She and her daughter, who is a medical doctor, decided to go to Africa to help people. The TV commentator was asking whether she was not interested in the game, especially that her husband was involved in the game. She said we had to make choices. Football is a game and entertainment. She was involved in saving lives.

You see we need to make choices everyday.

Do we Armenians like to choose to follow Jesus’ footsteps?

Are we Armenians ready to carry the cross of Jesus and be his witnesses in this dark world?

If we answer yes, it is costly. Because our priorities will change. Christ will be the center of our life. And if Christ is the center of our life then we start seeing life in different eyeglasses.

Let us examine today whose mark to de we bear?

Let us follow steps of Vartan and his friends without compromise saying:

Vasen Hayrenyats, Vasen Krisdosi.

Amen