The Pastor Who Cannot

            Courage and faith are found in the darkest of places.  In Islamic controlled Iran, Muslim clerics have denounced Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani for once being a Muslim and converting to Christianity.  Now on his third appeal, the decision is being made as I write as to whether to uphold his conviction and carry out his execution.  He stands also accused of sharing his faith and converting Muslims. 

            Officially, Iran and international law forbid these actions, but consistent with Islamic beliefs, the clerics who are the true leaders of Iran are holding to a different set of laws within Islamic culture itself.  Rumors are flying he may have his sentence commuted, yet still be subject to life in prison.  Others have claimed he will be set free to placate western interests, but even if so, twelve years ago a pastor was set free and assassinated by authorities in Iran shortly after his release. Nadarkhani’s case has come to light just as Iran has also confiscated 6,500 Bibles because they would be subversive to youth.

            This week, my oldest son, Jonathan, learned in World History that Islam is the “religion of peace.”  Exact words.   This statement is made about a religion which began with an army and forced conversions and now in many countries challenges the right to believe in Christianity on many fronts. 

            Have Christians ever done such atrocities in history?  Yes.  But this does not negate what is done in the name of Allah and unlike Muslim clerics, Christianity owns these past actions as sin and counter to the truth of Christ.

            Martin Luther stood trial once for his own belief in what the Scriptures said.  When asked if he would recant his writings on the subject, he replied, “Here I stand, I can do no other.”

            Pray for Pastor Nadarkhani as he makes a tremendous stand.  Don’t let him stand alone.

He was asked to recant his faith this week.  “Repent,” the judge said.

            “Repent means to return.  What should I return to?  To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?” Nadarkhani replied.

            Repent…”to the religion of your ancestors, Islam,” said the judge.

            Nadarkhani said, “I cannot.”

Deeper

In her book, And Only to Deceive, Tasha Alexander tells the story of Emily, a young, upper-class English woman who marries to escape her mother's control. She marries the dashing Philip Ashton, only because he is gone on hunting trips most of the year and she can live a solitary life the majority of her time. When it is reported he has died on his trip, Emily feels little grief, knowing now she is even freer than before.

While going through her late husband's belongings, she finds his journal. As she reads, she begins to discover the depth of his love for her. Not only does she find he had a deep love for her, she gets to know him through his writing and finds herself falling deeper and deeper in love with a man she never let herself get to know.

Its easy to be satisfied with the shallow. What comes easy and gives happiness seems preferable to what takes effort. However, by not going deeper the greatest treasures of life are often misplaced.

Relationship with God works this way. God is kept at a minimum, so He is acknowledged, but His wonders are never explored and the relationship is kept an inch deep. Like Lady Ashton discovered, there is a journal, the Bible, in which the deep love of God can be known and explored. And unlike Lady Ashton, its not too late to grow more in this relationship. God is there waiting for you to know His heart and discover His will, as you go deeper with Him than ever before.

Let this be the adventure you embark on today.

Easter Troubles

Every Easter, the media brings out a new challenge to the story of Jesus.  One year its the Jesus Seminar claiming most of the story is fabricated.  Another year, people hear Paul invented Christianity.  Stories come and go about the veracity of the Bible, the hidden life of Jesus, the pondering of those who think Jesus married Mary and had children.  This year, the media is focusing in on the thought that Hell probably doesn't exist, at least in its traditionally presented form.

Unreported is the erosion of these claims as its discovered the Jesus Seminar decides by voting and not scholarship; Paul did not invent Christianity; the Bible turns out to be the most accurate of ancient books; and The DaVinci Code changed historical facts.  Each objection tumbles, only to see another raised as Easter provokes the detractors of faith.

Interesting is the fact no one hits at the heart of Easter.  They find trouble with the Scriptures, the life of Jesus, and other doctrines, but no one addresses the main issue.  There is an empty tomb to explain. Where is the body of Jesus?   Christianity could be disproven if the resurrection could be set aside.  But no one focuses their artillery or intellectual prattle on this area. 

The reason is no one has ever been able to discount the empty tomb.  Everyone agrees its empty.  And if you don't believe in Jesus as the resurrected Lord, its a problem.  Jesus' life, the Scriptures, and its call to faith rest on one historical truth: Jesus rose from the dead.

Do you believe that?  If you don't, you need to find out what happen to the body.  But let me worn you...its no where on this earth to be found.