France, the most Muslim of European countries, suffered a number of Jihadist attacks this week which left 21 people dead and many more wounded.

Trained by Al Qaeda the gunmen came from the Muslim controlled neighbourhoods which now exist in Paris and other French cities. They were cool and calm as one would expect them to be when on a missionary task to kill those who were perceived to have blasphemed their Prophet.

Their text, Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest), shouted repeatedly, proclaimed who they were serving.

In the case of Amedy Coulibaly, who had chosen a kosher (Jewish) supermarket as his target, his zeal for Allah was his undoing. Having killed four and wounded others on his way in he phoned his fellow Jihadists, who were besieged some miles outside the city and accidentally left the phone off the hook.

It must have been that time of day as Coulibaly then got down to saying his prayers. These were relayed over the phone line, which was being monitored, and gave the police the cue to attack! He probably would not have wished it otherwise. Indeed it may have been his plan!

Meanwhile the massive manhunt had caught up with the other two Jihadists and surrounded the small printing works where they had sought refuge. The Owner was inside and around 09.00 a client, unaware of the danger, arrived for an appointment. One of the Jihadist’s, after they had shaken hands and exchanged pleasantries, told him to leave as “We don’t kill civilians”! He left!

True to their word the Owner was unharmed and their two, guns blazing, they ran out of the premises into the gunfire of the forces of the State.

They got the martyrdom they wished for.

There is an intimate connection between witness and martyrdom in the New Testament. The martyrdom however is not desired! The witness is by word and deed. Indeed it comes from following Jesus in a world that has largely rejected Him and His Word.

Jesus said this would happen, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also” (St John Chapter 15 verse 20).

Jesus death was not martyrdom. It procured salvation and was planned according to St Peter from before time began (1 Peter Chapter 1 verses 18/21).

“You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”