Because of Jesus

For several months, I’d been studying the Word with my friend Nasri, a new Muslim-background believer. We both enjoyed digging into Scripture and learning what God wanted to teach us through the text.

Nasri usually responded with joy as we explored each new passage. But when we reached Matthew 6, his brow furrowed and his smile disappeared.

“How would you say these verses in your own words?” I asked.

He began, but soon stumbled and fell silent.

I reread a few verses that he couldn’t seem to get out. “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Nasri shifted in his seat, unable to look up from the table before him.

I knew Jesus could bring healing to his heart.

After a long moment of silence, I asked, “What’s God showing you? Is there someone you need to forgive?”

He answered without hesitation. “My father. But I can’t.” Nasri went on to explain how his father had betrayed him.

For weeks, we talked through what had happened. As we did, I grieved with my friend. I also refused to let him remain stuck in the pain of the past.

I knew Jesus could bring healing to his heart. Forgiveness was the only way forward.

Nasri disagreed.

He wanted to follow Jesus, but this anger had been lodged in his heart for years. No matter how much I shared about how God’s grace and love compels us to forgive others, Nasri refused to reach out to his father.

Knowing I couldn’t force Nasri to forgive, I stopped asking about it, and we eventually moved on in our study of Matthew. I could only pray the Holy Spirit would continue to work in him.

“I think it was because of Jesus.”

Then one day, as I shopped in the local marketplace a few weeks later, an older man marched toward me. He pointed his finger at my chest. “You’re the one!”

I paused, surprised and unsure what was going on. “Which one?”

“The one studying the Injil with my son.”

I glanced around to see if anyone was watching and braced for an angry outburst.

Instead, the man burst into tears. “My son Nasri forgave me because of you.”

A smile stretched across my face as I put the story together. God had changed my friend’s heart and restored their relationship. “I think it was because of Jesus.”

As the man nodded in agreement, I silently praised God. I was so proud of Nasri, but even more, I was grateful to the Lord for healing a family that had been divided by bitterness and anger.

I can’t wait to see how Jesus will use their restoration to draw others to Himself.

Pray:

• Praise the Lord for the incredible forgiveness offered to all peoples through Jesus Christ!
• Thank God for giving Nasri the grace and strength to forgive others. Pray that other Muslim-background believers like him will also offer forgiveness in a way that shines the light of Christ in the Muslim world.
• Ask God to move Muslim men and women around the world to repent and follow Jesus.