June 29, 2009
The Price of Freedom
Her name and face is known around the world. She is being hailed as a martyr in the cause of freedom. Her name means "voice" in Farsi, and her death has become the central rallying cry of the Iranian rebellion.
Neda Agha Soltan, the fresh-faced young music student, was killed last week in Tehran during a protest against the injustice going on in her country. Her death was captured graphically in an amateur video and posted on Facebook, YouTube and other internet social networking sites. It has appeared on computer and television screens across the globe.
People around the world joined in mourning her death with messages on Twitter. "They killed Neda, but not her voice," read one. "Neda is everyone's sister, everyone's daughter, everyone's voice for freedom," said another. Almost instantly she has become a symbol for Iran’s pro-democracy protesters.
Robin Wright wrote in Time, "Although it is not yet clear who shot "Neda" (a soldier? pro-government militant? an accidental misfiring?), her death may have changed everything."
Dr. Arash Hejazi, an Iranian who is currently studying in Great Britain, was visiting in Tehran and was standing close by when Neda was shot. He tried unsuccessfully to save her life. Hejazi said Soltan's death would always haunt him but he was glad she had become a global symbol. "This way her blood is not wasted and she did not die in vain," he said.
On Friday, groups of Iranians streamed into Tehran's Behest-e Zahra cemetery to mourn at Neda's grave. The grave, under a small cement block, was covered with flowers and with green ribbons, the signature color of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi's campaign.
"What sin did she commit?" asked a young woman who was in tears as she knelt in front of the grave, praying for Neda's soul and rubbed her hands on the remains of candles that had been placed on the cement block.
In just a few days we will engage in a variety of activities as we celebrate Independence Day. Whether we 
participate in the Peachtree Road Race, eat barbeque as we relax by the pool, or just enjoy fireworks let us be thankful for the liberties that we enjoy.
During the celebration of the Fourth of July we often sing My Country Tis of Thee. As I add my voice to the singing, I slide so easily by the line: “Land where my fathers died.” It is a reminder that freedom is costly. Battles are being fought all over the world and people are dying daily in pursuit of freedom. Let us not take it for granted.
When we think about freedom we also must remember the ultimate freedom that Christ came to give. And the price He paid. Unlike Neda, his body is not in the grave. He is alive and lives within us through the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God!
Jamie Jenkins
jjenkins@ngumc.org
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