One by one, they died. James, the brother of John, was beheaded. Thomas was killed in India. Simon was crucified in Egypt. Mark, the first bishop of Alexandria, was burned and buried in Egypt as well. Bartholomew was beaten, crucified, and beheaded. Andrew, Peter’s brother, was crucified in Rome. Matthew was killed with a spear. Phillip was stoned and then hanged on a cross. James, the brother of Jesus, survived being thrown from the temple. Then he was beaten to death.

1 Peter 4:19
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Two years after writing his first letter, Peter was put to death in Rome. The records of the early church indicate that he was crucified. Eusebius—the “father of Church history”—cites the testimony of an eyewitness named Clement, who said that before Peter was crucified, he was forced to watch the crucifixion of his wife. As he watched her being led to her death, Peter called out and said, “Remember the Lord.” When it was his turn, he pleaded to be crucified upside down because he wasn’t worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. So, he was nailed to the cross, head down.

The apostles followed hard after Jesus during their lives and in their deaths. They entrusted their souls to their “faithful Creator.” As a result, they are not only great teachers but great examples of what suffering “according to God’s will” looks like in real life.

Father, give us the courage to be able to, if need be, die for you. And may our faith give us the courage to live for you every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.