more than blood
Though this picture may seem simple and plain, it demonstrates such a unique and a unquenching, undefeating love dimension to it. I was just looking through the web when I stumbled on this photo. At first I thought it was just some random amateur taking a quick shot of these people praying just for the purpose of being pious, but that is where I found everything wrong. This picture is taken in Cairo’s Tahrir Square where Muslims gathered to have prayer. What started me were the people who were hand in hand with each other, circling these people praying: they were Christians. The description of this photo is “Christians protect Muslims during prayer in Cairo’s dangerous Tahrir Square”. The moment I read this, I couldn’t help myself from breaking down in seeing how the power of love breaks every chain. The square has been a scene of many violent outbreaks. Muslim people united themselves in prayer, hoping for an end to this all. These Christians in Cairo took it upon themselves to be living sacrifices of Love.
I mean this is thicker than any blood relation, than any tension between Muslims and Christians. This is coming months after the bombing in Christian communities in Alexandria, Egypt. Called, Coptic Christians, theses Christians are discriminated against, persecuted, and are martyred for Christ. In the Middle East, to call yourself a Christian there, you really understand what it means to die to yourself. The moment you come out of the water when you are baptize is the moment your family will leave you, where you will be fired from your job, where you will face death in every alley, all for his name’s sake. I am reminded of Mark 13:13 - “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” every time I see people truly putting their life in God’s hands and in what Jesus has done. You will not find these people in secluded places, keeping to themselves hidden from the eyes of people. You will find these people in ACTION. They are not ashamed of the gospel because it is worth their life for this world to see who this loving king is. His name is Jesus. No matter what kind of suffering they face, they know that this gospel is worth dying for.
Love has a voice, Love has a name. Love is alive, Filling my eyes. JESUS
Its not about you. Its not about me. Its not about him or her. Its not about any of us. Its ALL ABOUT HIM. Can’t you see how his love is all we need? His approval is all we need. He is our GREATEST JOY & SATISFACTION!
I will never be the same. Love has called my name. From the ashes I rise to proclaim YOUR LOVE IS UNDEFEATED! FOREVER YOU WILL REIGN!
America has the thickest blindfold in this world; we just cannot see the truth about the GOSPEL in such a flourishing and easy place to live. We see Jesus as a trend. If he can do this for me, I will follow him. I know I am generalizing but this is in most of the minds of we American. I am speaking for myself too. Could we really understand the MAGNITUDE of what it means to pick up your cross and to follow Jesus? Could we see the SUFFERING we will embrace when we call ourselves Christians? There are hundreds of our brothers and sisters, even at this moment, being spat upon, beat, cursed, and even killed for the name of Jesus. Are you willing?
Jesus, what less can I give to you but my LIFE. You died on the cross for ME. Because you love me. This is PERFECT LOVE. Let me be unashamed of this TRUTH. Let this not just be empty words and promises. Move me into ACTION.
THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS. BREAK EVERY CHAIN!
