"Let them glorify God in the Grassmarket!"

During the Scottish Reformation, many Christians were martyred in Scotland. Over 100 Covenanters were killed in an area of Edinburgh called the Grassmarket.

"Let them glorify God in the Grassmarket!"

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

During the Scottish Reformation, many Christians from a group called the Covenanters were martyred in Scotland. Over 100 Covenanters were killed in an area of Edinburgh called the Grassmarket. The Grassmarket is an area in front of Edinburgh castle which used to be the buzzing market of the city in the oldest part of Edinburgh. Here, gallows were set up for public executions.

Covenanters were routinely executed in the Grassmarket for going against the Catholic rulers of the day. Some were leaders and preachers, but others, like Isabel Alison and Marion Harvey, were hanged for the crime of simply hearing a sermon of a Covenanter preacher. What great faith they had to risk and ultimately give their very lives just to hear the Word of God preached.

One day, John Leslie, Duke of Rothes, made a crack after dealing with a particularly difficult Covenanter prisoner. He sarcastically said, "Then let him glorify God in the Grassmarket," as if to say, "If this guy wants to talk about God so much, then he can go ahead and do it... while we execute him in the town market. Then he won't be able to 'glorify God' anymore." And yet, glorify God he absolutely did. Early church theologian Tertullian famously said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." In Edinburgh, the Covenanters who boldly held to their faith in Jesus Christ indeed inspired many others to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ upon seeing how they so firmly held to their faith, even in the face of death. The government's intentions to squash this group of Protestant believers actually only increased their influence, thus leading to the amplification of the Gospel message and bringing glory to God! Our tour guide told us that John Leslie's comment became a badge of honor of sorts. These martyrs were proud to advance the Gospel and inspire faith in others while joining Jesus in the humiliation of public execution. They were glad to glorify God in the Grassmarket. Indeed, nothing can stop the Gospel from going forth. History proves this time and time again.

You can see this quote inscribed in stone in the Grassmarket today in this picture. The water makes it difficult to read, but the top line is the Duke of Rothes' sarcastic quip turned anthem.

When I heard this story, I immediately thought of Revelation 12:10-11. The Apostle John describes Satan falling from heaven and then goes on to say:

"I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death'."

(Revelation 12:10-11)

Praise God for Christians who love not their lives even unto death. Praise God for Christians who are willing to glorify God at all costs, even in the Grassmarket. May we all have this kind of deep love for the Lord that produces this kind of resolve, for we know that Satan will not win. He will be cast down and conquered by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the testimony of the Church.

Take a minute to ponder how you can bring glory to God today. Whether you're in a Grassmarket type of situation or if today is just a normal day, God is worthy of glory. How can you bring Him glory today?

This is the location of the public executions in the Grassmarket.

Notice the markings on the ground in front of the circle that mark where the shadow from the gallows once hit.

Here our dear brothers and sisters in Christ gave their lives as martyrs.

We honor them.

Partner with us in spreading the Gospel!

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Podcast of the Week

Let's Talk Story, Pt. 2

Everyone loves a good story! God has embedded within the human mind and heart enjoyment of great stories. Jesus knew the power of stories, sharing parables throughout his ministry. In this episode, Pastor Danny continues discussing Paul's account of his testimony before a very hostile crowd, what we can learn from it, and how we can be bolder and better about sharing our own testimony with others.

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