What Jesus Says About Beheading an Innocent Man

By now everybody knows that the dedicated followers of the “religion of peace” beheaded an American photojournalist named James Foley, and posted the video on the internet. Years ago I made the mistake of watching a video of another decapitation by Muslim terrorists, and it was the most horrific, disgusting, and beastly thing I’ve ever seen.

So I won’t watch another terrorist video if I can help it, and recommend that you don’t either. But since this is a blog about Christ, I do want to ask the question, what does Jesus have to say about the beheading of an innocent man by religious zealots?

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).

Christians Being Persecuted in Egypt

Please pray for the Christians in Egypt. They are being targeted, harassed, and persecuted for their faith.

Here’s a story (August 20) from the Washington Times:

Since the military removed Mr. Morsi seven weeks ago, his supporters have burned at least 44 churches and ransacked more than 20 other Christian institutions throughout Egypt...At least six Christians and one Muslim working at a Christian-owned shop have been killed since Mr. Morsi was removed July 3, human rights activists said. Nearly 900 people in all have died in clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters.

Also from Fox News:

Across Egypt, at least 60 churches have been targeted,along with Christian schools, homes,businesses and even an orphanage,according to conservative estimates. In the areas of Minya, Beni Suef, Fayoumand Assiut, Christian homes and businesses have received leaflets warning them to leave or face reprisals by Islamists, Christians said.

USA Today has a helpful story from last week, including an interactive map that shows where Christian churches and institutions have been targeted. Click here.

Neither the mainstream media in the US nor our current administration in Washington will take much of an interest in the plight of Christians in Egypt.

Please take a moment to pray for our brothers and sisters.

Iranian Pastor Released!

In February I posted a request that we pray for an Iranian pastor who was facing execution for his faith. You can read the story again here.

Glory to God and thanks to everyone who prayed all all over the world: this faithful brother has been released! Read the story in World Magazine here.

But let's not forget, to quote the original post:  

As we pray for Pastor Nadarkhani's release, let's also pray for his witness and his courage. And for our own. Because Christ is worthy--to live for and to die for.

Iranian Pastor Condemned to Death - Please Pray!

Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has received execution orders for refusing to recant his faith in Christ. You can read more here, and here, and here.

Pastor Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old father of two, was arrested over two years ago on charges of apostasy. Now it seems he could be hanged at any time. He apparently loves Jesus more than his life.

Please pray for him and for his family.

People choose to live and die for so many unworthy things. They throw their lives away for perverted pleasures, drugs, cults, adrenaline rushes, hopeless causes, violent gangs, and contemptible people.

But Christ is worthy. He is more than worthy of our love, worship, obedience, and of our death, if He so chooses. The first followers of Christ thought suffering for Him was a privilege. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name (Acts 5:41, ESV).

As Paul waited for his own execution orders to come down, he told the church at Philippi that his imprisonment was a cause for rejoicing because Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice (Phil. 1:18, ESV). So for him, both release and execution had their advantages. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21, ESV).

He even told the church that suffering was not just a cross to bear, but a gift: For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Phil. 1:29, ESV).

As we pray for Pastor Nadarkhani's release, let's also pray for his witness and his courage. And for our own. Because Christ is worthy--to live for and to die for.