Cochise, Geronimo, and Naiche were warriors. They will
remain legends in Apache history. The Apache fought against the
Spanish, Mexican, and United States governments for hundreds of
years to keep their way of life in their homeland. One of the most
respected leaders in Apache history was Cochise, chief of the
Chiricahua band. Cochise was known as an honorable peacemaker who
kept his word. As promised, he allowed the mail and overland stage
to pass through his territory. In February of 1861, Cochise was
accused of a crime committed by someone else. Cochise declared his
innocence, but the military authorities refused to listen. This led
to war that would last for ten years. Cochise fought so well that he
and his Chiricahua band were offered a peace treaty and given their
own reservation in exchange for their promise to remain peaceful.
When Cochise died in June of 1874, the U.S. government refused to
keep its promise. The Apache people had kept their word with honor.
The U.S. government did not.
Naiche, Cochise's son, continued the
Apache's fight against the government of broken promises. By 1886,
only Naiche and Geronimo with thirty-six men, women, and children
remained to fight. Five thousand soldiers were unable to capture
them.
These troops were one-fourth of the
U.S. military at the time. The Apaches believed the government's promises that were not kept and
agreed to terms of surrender that were not honored. The Chiricahua
joined 469 other Apaches being held prisoners in Florida.
Their years as prisoners of war were
full of bitterness, anger, and pain. Wounds caused by lies and
betrayal cut deep in the spirit of the Apache people. Having been
removed from family and homeland, Geronimo said, "All we want is to
be fed and be released as prisoners and given land and homes that we
can call our own."
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What did
Naiche gain by following Jesus?
Naiche received God's promise of eternal life. He found forgiveness
of sins and harmony with his Creator. He had found healing for the
wounds of his spirit. This healing came through Jesus who was
wounded for our sins on the cross (see: Isaiah 53:5).
The Bible tells us that we have all sinned. Even though the cost of
sin is death, God's gift to us is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord (see: Romans 3:23 and 6:23).
John 3:16-18 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be
saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God,"
Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Why would Naiche
accept the God of the Bible?
Naiche could accept Jesus because He is the God of all creation. He
is not just the God of one people group. God wants all people to be
saved form their sins (see: Romans 10:12; II Peter 3:9; Revelation
5:9).
What did Naiche lose by following Jesus?
He lost his anger, hatred, and bitterness. Jesus teaches us to love
and forgive our enemies. Like Christian Naiche, we need to
understand God's thinking, so we can live at peace with problems
that we cannot change. Only God can help the wounded to win the
battle over anger, bitterness, and revenge. He can bring the victory
as shown by love and forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven
you."
Matthew 5:43,44,46 says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have
ye . . . ?"
What if I do not
choose to follow Jesus?
We can choose our own path. Our own path leads to hurt, anger,
sorrow, and defeat. Satan, the enemy of God wants us to choose our
own way. Satan is a murderer, liar, thief, destroyer, and a deceiver
(see: John 8:44; John 10:10; II Corinthians 11:3,14-15; Revelation
2:9).
John:14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
What do I need to do to follow Jesus?
Believe and trust Him. Receive His gift paid for by His death on the
cross. Talk to God in prayer. There are no magic words. Speak from
your heart with Him. Pray something like this:
"Dear Father in Heaven, I know that I am a sinner. I have done many
bad things. I do not like my life to be like this. I ask for your
Son, Jesus, to come into my heart and help me change. I ask you to
forgive me of my sins and heal my wounded spirit. I ask that I may
be saved from Hell. I ask that I may learn more about You, my Father
in Heaven, and of your love for me. I ask that I may follow your
Son, Jesus. Let me learn more of how He gave His life for me and
paid for my sins on the cross. I now accept the free gift of
salvation that you offer me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen."
Can I really live the Christian life?
With God's strength, we are promised the victory, but we must fight
this battle with spiritual weapons (see: I John 4:4; II Corinthians
10:4; Ephesians 6:13-18). The Apache taught their children in the
warriors' tradition to be strong. We must be strong and learn how to
say "no" to our spiritual enemy, Satan (see: Ephesians 6:10;II
Timothy 2:2, I Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7).
How can I learn more?
Read the Bible. Spend time in prayer with other believers you know
and respect. We want to be a help to you. Write to us for a free
Bible Study Course entitled, "The New Life In Christ."
Our address is: Regeneration Ministries, P.O. Box 219, Fort Thomas,
AZ 85536
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John
8:31-32
*Naiche was
respected by his people as the son of Cochise and is referred to as
the hereditary chief of the Chiricahuas by historians. The
Chiricahua society was an egalitarian society that did not
automatically recognize the right of a passing leader's descendant
to lead the people. A leader or headman among the Apache was
followed because of his ability to influence those around him often
through his wisdom, charismatic personality, and economic resources.
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