The lights dimmed, the audience fell into silence and all eyes turned towards the stage. There they were to remain – our attention riveted for two straight hours, our ears straining to catch every word.

It was neither a play, nor a concert, we had come for. The stage held only a couch. Upon which a slight, grey-haired lady sat.

She was the attraction. Her stories the entertainment. Each person in the auditorium listed eagerly, like little children gathered around a grandparent’s feet.

The speaker, Marthe Cohn, had lived through the Second World War. A Jew herself, she’d not only survived the Holocaust but bravely fought to end it. Fluent in German, she’d served as a spy for the French army and procured information which had changed some of the final outcomes of the war. She’d also tasted of the tragedy, her younger sister dying in a Nazi prison camp and her fiancé being executed for playing a part in the French Resistance.  

Her words painted for us a picture of France in those days and for two, short hours we shared in the world’s battle and the characters’ plight.

At the end of the presentation, which came far too soon, was a time for questions. I can’t remember all that was said, but I remember so clearly one question which was asked and the reply that Marthe gave.

The Question and Its Answer 

A man stood in front of the mic and said. “I know many people helped the Jews. Of them, was there a group that stood out from the rest? Or something they all had in common?”

The lady on the stage nodded. “Yes,” she said, “the Quakers.”

“The Quakers?”

She smiled. “Well, that’s what we called them, but you would call them something else.” Marthe paused to find the right word. “You’d call them Christians.”

She went on to explain that, while many different kinds of people helped and hid the Jews, everyone knew that the Christians could be counted on to do so. She said, “Many of the Christians lived together. In those towns, no one ever got turned in. People knew that if you could get to a Quaker town you’d be accepted and you’d be safe.”

People Knew

People knew the Christians could be trusted. They knew they were willing to risk their very lives. They knew they could be counted on to help.

I couldn’t keep from smiling when she said those words. Though these were not my deeds, I felt proud to carry on the name of such a group. Though I have done little yet, I am blessed to have such an example and the opportunity to tread in these faithful people’s steps.

The Christians in World War 2 France demonstrated something every Christian is meant to live. They were known for their love. Trusted to rescue those who were being led away to death and hold back those who were stumbling to the slaughter.

That is what Christians are meant to do. Who we are meant to be.

A Question for the Church Today

Hans Scholl, a German Christian who also lived in those times (his story I have shared on a few previous occasions) challenged the Christians of his time saying, “It’s high time that Christians made up their minds to do something . . . What are we going to show in the way of resistance – as compared to the Communists, for instance – when all this terror is over? We will be standing empty-handed. We will have no answer when we are asked: ‘What did you do about it?’”

I want to pass that same challenge on to the church today. Don’t be left standing empty handed. The Christians of France in World War 2 were faithful to the example Christ had set. Will we be?

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” (Proverbs xxiv. 11-12, NKJV)

In Christ

Quiana

*Marthe Cohn’s story can be found in her book, Behind Enemy Lines, which I would highly recommend adding to your reading list!