Jesus taught His followers that we are to "turn the other cheek" and to pray for those who abuse and oppose us. In Luke 23:34 He provides our example. Jesus had been mocked, abused, beaten, and cruelly nailed to the cross. His pain might have been all consuming. Yet as He lived, so He died, thinking of others. "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
If ever people were ignorant of the significance of their actions, it was surely during the hours of Jesus arrest and crucifixion. They did not know. They did not understand that they were killing "the author of life". (Acts 3:15)
Many of us are praying for the Muslim world, especially during these days of Ramadan. This provides us direct opportunity to love and pray as Jesus taught and as He provided the model. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44, 45)
Saudi Arabia recently released two Indian Christians who they had arrested, beaten and jailed for six months because these men shared the Good News of Jesus. The new freedom in Tunisia seems to have resulted in more persecution of believers. In Algeria in recent months, 8 churches have been forcibly closed. In Egypt the strong Islamists are pressuring the moderate Muslims and secular Egyptians to make Egypt an Islamist country with Sharia law.
In these and other Middle East countries, there seems to be an increasing opposition to and persecution of Christians. Many believers are trying to leave their home country in fear for their lives. What would Jesus do in this situation? I believe He would have us join Him in prayer for our fellow believers but also for those who oppose and persecute.
These modern enemies of Christ and the Gospel are very much like those who surrounded Jesus in His last hours on earth. They are spiritually blind and spiritually unaware that their opposition to Christ followers is opposition to the very God they seek to worship. So we pray:
"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
If ever people were ignorant of the significance of their actions, it was surely during the hours of Jesus arrest and crucifixion. They did not know. They did not understand that they were killing "the author of life". (Acts 3:15)
Many of us are praying for the Muslim world, especially during these days of Ramadan. This provides us direct opportunity to love and pray as Jesus taught and as He provided the model. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44, 45)
Saudi Arabia recently released two Indian Christians who they had arrested, beaten and jailed for six months because these men shared the Good News of Jesus. The new freedom in Tunisia seems to have resulted in more persecution of believers. In Algeria in recent months, 8 churches have been forcibly closed. In Egypt the strong Islamists are pressuring the moderate Muslims and secular Egyptians to make Egypt an Islamist country with Sharia law.
In these and other Middle East countries, there seems to be an increasing opposition to and persecution of Christians. Many believers are trying to leave their home country in fear for their lives. What would Jesus do in this situation? I believe He would have us join Him in prayer for our fellow believers but also for those who oppose and persecute.
These modern enemies of Christ and the Gospel are very much like those who surrounded Jesus in His last hours on earth. They are spiritually blind and spiritually unaware that their opposition to Christ followers is opposition to the very God they seek to worship. So we pray:
"Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."
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