Every now and again, someone steps up and does something so remarkable that they don’t simply inspire me they also reinforce my conviction that we are all made in the image of God.

Lieutenant Arnaud Beltrame is such a man. Faced with a rampant terrorist and a terrified hostage he did more than risk his life, and from all that I’ve read this was no isolated act of bravery either. Even before she was told the dreadful news his mother had concluded that it was her son. “I knew it had to be him,” she said. “He was always like that.”

As I understand it, Arnaud Beltrame was a Christian, and if that is correct, he rightly deserves to be remembered as ‘martyr.’ Sadly, that word has become all too associated with violent extremism and callous carnage, but that’s because the meaning of a word can change over time. When it was first used of Christians it simply meant ‘a witness,’ but so many of them died for their faith that it became tinged with blood.

Arnaud Beltrame’s heroic act of self sacrifice will live long in the annals of French history. And rightly so. It deserves to be remembered much more widely than that though. His death is a vivid reminder that the Jesus he had come to trust died for others too, because He was convinced it would bring them forgiveness. Like so many Christians, I use a lot of words when trying to talk about God’s love, not least at Easter. But I have to admit, Arnaud Beltrame’s death has described it far more eloquently than I ever will.

But I think his life might prove an enduring challenge too. I wonder how many of my friends and family for example, readily identify me with sacrificial love. But that’s how it should be. God wants me display it and not simply talk about it. John Poulton’s words are as true now as they were when he wrote them some 50 years ago: “Christians … need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily not words or ideas. … What communicates now is basically personal authenticity.”

God’s invisibility has always been a problem. The Jews of the Old Testament knew that only too well. People laughed at them for worshipping a God that could not be seen whilst their temples were full idols that clearly showed what their gods were like. It’s no different today. Lots of people tell me that they can only believe in things they can see even though that is a rather simplistic approach to life.

I reckon God has given us the answer to that dilemma. Two thousand years ago, He sent a man who showed us what He is like. He was, as one writer put it ‘the (visible) image of the invisible God.’ But He didn’t stop there for He has told us that when we love as Jesus loved He will reveal Himself today. For it is through the quality of our loving that He makes Himself visible. Given all this, I reckon we should all say thank you to Arnaud Beltrame for giving us a glimpse of His presence.

Rob James is a Baptist Pastor broadcaster and writer who currently operates as a church and media consultant for the Evangelical Alliance Wales. He is available for preaching and teaching throughout Wales and can be contacted at [email protected]