“I’m a follower of Jesus.”
I never expected to hear those words from a devout Muslim.
These words were not uttered quietly or nervously but proudly proclaimed, to a
room full of Christians, Muslims and Jews.
What’s more… it wasn’t just one man
who announced this. During my week at the National Prayer Breakfast, numerous
people of different faiths boldly confessed they are followers of Jesus, and
followed his teachings.
In fact, I have never heard the word “Jesus” more than I
did that week in Washington DC.
I attended the National Prayer Breakfast, all the
festivities leading up to and following the breakfast with a handful of people
from Central and a few thousand religious leaders, government leaders and
politicians from over 140 countries.
This gathering, started over 60 years ago, is made up of
people who agree to pray for world leaders, and to come together on the things
we have in common… mainly, the teachings of Jesus.
While not all religions understand Jesus as grace and
salvation, most accept him as a prophet, or at least a pretty great teacher.
When we meet at tables with others who look different, sound
different, dress different and worship different from us, it is easy to assume
we have nothing in common.
My world was rocked when I heard the way Muslims talked about
Jesus. They shared about their love, honor and respect they have for him. I
heard things like:
“I love Jesus.”
“You aren’t a Muslim if you don’t love Jesus.”
“Growing up in Islam, I missed Jesus in the Qur’an. But now,
I see he is everywhere in the Qur’an.”
The thought crossed my mind, “these Muslims might love Jesus more than most Christians!”
Yikes! How does that make you feel? Are you uncomfortable?
Are you outraged? Are you regrettably shaking your head in agreement?
Here’s the deal, I’m not out to incite anger or uproar, but…
Our Muslim friends and neighbors are open to hearing about the Jesus we love. They
are already loving, serving, encouraging and praying for one another, as Jesus
commands. They are open to hearing that salvation comes through him and not by
works. They are anxious to talk about him.
The last commandment Jesus gave his followers is Matthew
28:19-20.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you until the end of the age.”
As followers of Jesus, we should be pretty passionate about
this. When Jesus says “all nations,” he means ALL NATIONS. All people groups,
all cultures, all faiths. People across the globe and people across the street.
No one is exempt from this command.
When questioned, Jesus also summed up all of the Old
Testament laws in two commands, check out Matthew 22: 36-40:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and
greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on
these two commandments.”
It’s pretty clear, right? So, now what?
- Ask the Holy Spirit for help. Ask for eyes to see all people as beings created in the image of God. Ask for discernment to know whom Jesus needs you to spend some extra time with each day. Ask for any blind spots, hardness or un-forgiveness in your heart to be revealed to you and be ready to address them.
- Create margin in your life. Shop slower. Walk to your mailbox instead of driving by on the way home. Move some patio furniture to your front porch and read your newspaper, mail or enjoy coffee there instead of inside. Slow down and put yourself in situations to run into others.
- Greet everyone! Make eye contact and smile at everyone you pass. Take time to really see people.
- Invite people to your table. Meals are not just for physical nourishment. More soul nourishment happens around a shared meal than we can ever completely comprehend. If you cannot invite people to your table, get creative. Meet at a park, at a coffee shop, pick up take-out and head to the neighbors or a community center to meet up with others, or venture out and grab dinner at a restaurant together.
- Start conversations. You have already asked the Holy Spirit for help and created margin in your day, so now you have time to engage in conversation with any of these people who made need more of you today.
Who, in your neighborhood,
place of work or local hangout is open to talking about Jesus? What if all they
are waiting for is someone like you to start the conversation?
~ Becky