”It is inevitable that offenses will come.”  Luke 17:1

During the pioneering days of New Tribes Mission, starting in 1942, many casualties happened.  Their first missionaries were killed in the jungle.  Many others died under dramatic circumstances, and many tears were shed.  How did the Americans in general react?

The American public rather sympathized with the mission.  After all the Second World War was raging, and America calculated with heavy losses. Why should it be different when it comes to spiritual warfare?  So they reasoned.

But the Christian establishment was often deeply offended or very critical.  NTM had acted foolishly, they thought, and exposed a fine youth to unnecessary dangers.  Some were so offended that they branded NTM “The murderer of mission” – a cruel and heartbreaking charge, indeed.

The cause of Jesus Christ is still met with much opposition.  The greatest and most indignant opposition however is often of a religious kind.  That was certainly the case in the earthly life of our Lord, and it hasn´t changed in 2009.  “It is inevitable”, the Lord said.

”Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets.”  Luke 6:26.

-jn