Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie is the account of Pastor André Trocmé and his efforts
in leading the village of Le Chambon, France, in providing refuge for Jews
seeking to escape deportation to the Nazi concentration camps. In Hallie’s
book, Pastor Trocmé acts from conscience, courageously resisting both his own
government and the German occupiers to save many lives. Early in his
resistance, Trocmé is questioned by the police chief, who says, “Pastor, we
know in detail the suspect activities to which you are devoted.” Trocmé ignores
the threat and simply responds, “I am their pastor, their shepherd. It is not
the role of a shepherd to betray the sheep confided to his keeping.” Trocmé
rightly identifies the object of his devotion as the people for which God has
made him responsible. Pastor Trocmé is an example to any who would take up the
mantle of leadership and seek to be a voice of moral clarity in difficult
times, and the word “devotion” is a fitting description of what should motivate
our service to God and to others.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
A Preacher's Devotion
Labels:
devotion
,
faith
,
Holocaust
,
Jesus
,
Jews
,
Lest Innocent blood be shed
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Philip Hallie
,
preacher
,
Scot Loyd
,
Trocmé
,
Word of God
,
World War II
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