Is He Worth It?
I was listening to a sermon today by Francis Chan. I was so taken by the intro of it: There was a man (Sam) from Iran who came to share a little bit about how God is moving in the lives of Iranians because they are beginning to get disillusioned with the Islamic faith. They are looking for alternatives - and that is where God meets them. The government is completely against the church and so therefore, there is tons of persecution going on over there! Sam spoke of how bold and courageous Iranian Christians are... and how they are willing to pay the ultimate price for Jesus! Sam told several stories about how God is moving... but there was one that gripped me. It's interesting that this comes right on the heels of what Pastor spoke on Sunday... I love when God really brings things "home."
A woman by the name of Makta was brought before a judge in an Iranian court for her faith. The judge looks down at her and says, "you must choose. You must choose between your three year old daughter and your faith." Not expecting this ultimatum, Makta stood there in complete shock. She looked at the judge and simply said, "I CANNOT deny my Lord." Upon her saying those words, the guards took her daughter away. Makta went into depression for a time, but God was faithful to her and has given her the strength to carry on. Makta lost her daughter to the Iranian government 6 years ago for standing up for Jesus. She continues to spread the gospel to Iranian children, in hopes to one day find her daughter.
Now, I don't have children, but I do have children in my life that mean a great deal to me. Can you imagine - having to choose between your child and your Jesus? What would you do? Abraham did it in the Old Testament... but that's the Old Testament, right? Haven't things changed? For some... no. As I thought about this story, immediately the sin of Peter popped into my mind. He denied Jesus out of fear. He lacked courage in the moment and completely went down the tube. I have to recap this quote that Pastor quoted Sunday, "courage is not the absence of fear. It's the absence of self. It's not an emotion."
My thoughts are flying all over the place and I'm wanting to write from 10 different angles... but the biggest thing I thought about when I heard Makta's story was the courage it must have taken to stand before the judge and say "I love Jesus Most." The courage to make a choice based on truth! Makta - a real person living in Iran RIGHT NOW... Wow... Is Jesus THAT worth it? Is he? Would we give up EVERYTHING - even our children - for the sake of the gospel? Do we really love Jesus just for being Jesus? Or are we like Judas - and love Jesus for what He can do for us/give us?
Do we really love Jesus? Is he really worth it?
A woman by the name of Makta was brought before a judge in an Iranian court for her faith. The judge looks down at her and says, "you must choose. You must choose between your three year old daughter and your faith." Not expecting this ultimatum, Makta stood there in complete shock. She looked at the judge and simply said, "I CANNOT deny my Lord." Upon her saying those words, the guards took her daughter away. Makta went into depression for a time, but God was faithful to her and has given her the strength to carry on. Makta lost her daughter to the Iranian government 6 years ago for standing up for Jesus. She continues to spread the gospel to Iranian children, in hopes to one day find her daughter.
Now, I don't have children, but I do have children in my life that mean a great deal to me. Can you imagine - having to choose between your child and your Jesus? What would you do? Abraham did it in the Old Testament... but that's the Old Testament, right? Haven't things changed? For some... no. As I thought about this story, immediately the sin of Peter popped into my mind. He denied Jesus out of fear. He lacked courage in the moment and completely went down the tube. I have to recap this quote that Pastor quoted Sunday, "courage is not the absence of fear. It's the absence of self. It's not an emotion."
My thoughts are flying all over the place and I'm wanting to write from 10 different angles... but the biggest thing I thought about when I heard Makta's story was the courage it must have taken to stand before the judge and say "I love Jesus Most." The courage to make a choice based on truth! Makta - a real person living in Iran RIGHT NOW... Wow... Is Jesus THAT worth it? Is he? Would we give up EVERYTHING - even our children - for the sake of the gospel? Do we really love Jesus just for being Jesus? Or are we like Judas - and love Jesus for what He can do for us/give us?
Do we really love Jesus? Is he really worth it?
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me of your inner thoughts. Your blog was wonderful to read and provoked such strong feelings and such deep thoughts. Would we stand if all around us didn't?
Love ya, Opal