One of the primary ways God is drawing Muslims to Himself is through simple Bible studies that highlight passages of scripture from Creation through the Resurrection. The Waha app contains many story sets that have been translated into dozens of languages. Throughout the 30 days we will pray through these story sets that reveal Jesus, the Word made flesh.
As you read these familiar passages, prayerfully imagine what it would be like to read them for the first time – to see the wisdom, power, beauty, and authority of God and to be drawn to trust in Christ and yield your allegiance to Him.
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
From the cross, Jesus showed compassion to others’ agony and pain while He Himself was suffering unimaginably during His unjust death. He comforted the repentant criminal and forgave those who tortured and ridiculed Him.
When humanity sees Jesus’ actions and character, some respond in faith, while others respond with rejection and ridicule. Pray for many in this place to be the first, not the latter. May His character and actions, as recorded in the Bible, also be reflected in the lives of His followers, and may they be a testimony to Muslim seekers.
Muslims esteem Jesus as a prophet and do not believe God would allow Him to be killed in such a humiliating manner. Despite disputing theories common throughout Islam, the eye accounts and history confirm Jesus’ death.
Imen is living abroad to make money to send to her family. While in her adopted country she came to Christ through reading Discovery Bible Study (DBS)’s Creation to Christ series from the Bible. She immediately began sharing and leading other Muslims to Christ. Early in her journey she shared with her friend Samar. Initially Samar liked what she was hearing, but soon she became distracted by life’s concerns. Sometime later, Imen was studying the Crucifixion story. As she was reading, “By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land…” she received a text from Samar saying Samar’s sister had died. Samar had just moved back to her home country to support her sister’s dialysis treatments. Tragically the power went out while her sister was having dialysis and that power outage killed her. In response, Imen said somberly, “God holds time in his hands. No one knows the time or the hour, or when the darkness will fall. We have to get right with Him.”
We do not know the end of our days here on earth. Pray that Muslims here would not put off until tomorrow what should be done today. May they have a sense of urgency to seek the Lord, that He might forgive their sins and heal their land.
Hebrews 13:12-21 points out that Jesus suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. May believers in this land go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. Help people in this land know that we have no lasting city here on earth, but may they seek the city that is to come. Through Christ may many in this land continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.
Believers here should not neglect to do good and to share what they have, most importantly the good news of Jesus, for such sacrifices are pleasing to You, God. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip people here with everything good that they may do His will, working in them that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen