Young Coptic Christian Murdered by Egyptian Islamists

Screenshot from Egyptian TV, via CNS.

Today I read another horrifying story of persecution, and I wanted to let you know about it. CNS is reporting that on Friday, March 28 in Cairo, a young Coptic Christian woman named Mary Sameh George was dragged out of her car and murdered - beaten, stabbed, abused, and her throat slit by a Muslim mob. Then they torched her car.

Her “crime”? She had a Christian cross hanging from her rear-view mirror. Oh, and she was on her way to deliver medicine to a sick old woman.

CNS has the main story here, but I also found it on the Washington Times website (here), and on Breitbart (here).

What can we who love Jesus do, in the face of such terrible persecution? Here are four suggestions:

1. Don’t be surprised. Persecution has always been likely for those of us who follow Christ. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). Our Savior said, If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:18-20a).

2. Pray not only for the family and friends of our sister in Christ, but pray for those who killed her. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:33).

3. Don’t be ignorant about Islam. Inform yourself. I just finished The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, by Erwin Lutzer, and I recommend it. (Amazon link here)

4. Tell people about Jesus. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). And the "everyone" includes people who murdered Christians. (Like Paul.)

May God bless all the Mary Georges who love Christ and are hated because of Him. 

The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me (John 16:2-3)

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).