Christian Living

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Suffering Servant
© 2009

by


Stephen A. Peterson


While walking through the Gilcrease Museum in her new hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 12 year old Sanchul Bibi was deeply moved by a painting that depicted Christ hanging on His cross. It was so realistic that this young Islamic girl began shedding tears without understanding any reason for doing so. Soon after seeing the painting, Sanchul began inquiring as to the meaning behind the man on the cross.

Even though she had been warned by her parents about freely speaking to strangers, Sanchul felt that she had to know the reason or story behind that picture. While growing up in Pakistan, Sanchul never heard about Christianity or aspects of its practice. What information she received about Christianity was from her parents. As far as she was concerned, Christians were evil, monsters and condemned as non-believers in one God.

Carolyn Stephens, 14 years old and a Christian, was visiting the museum that day as well. As Carolyn passed by the portrait, she stopped for a moment and looked at the crucified Christ. Soon she too felt deep emotion welling up in her heart. Noticing Carolyn’s response, Sanchul approached her.

“Hello, my name is Sanchul. Can you tell me the meaning of this painting, please? Who is that man? When I passed by a moment ago, I was moved with sorrow and a kind of gratitude at the same time. I have never felt this way about a picture.”

“My name is Carolyn. I, too, felt the same. The man on that cross in this portrait is Jesus Christ. He died more than two thousand years ago. He was God come down from heaven to live among humanity and to die to forgive the world of its sins. When he was here on earth, Jesus taught forgiveness of our enemies, mercy, compassion and unconditional love. He said that we are all brothers and sisters. He also taught that no one is better than the other and that we need to serve one another.”

“I have never had these feelings about a picture,” responded Sanchul.

“Nor, have I,” said Carolyn.

“I’d like to know more about this Jesus Christ,” Sanchul said now smiling. “I heard that Christians worship many gods. That Christians hate people like me who are Islamic.”

“Sure. No, Christians do not worship many gods. There is only one God but three persons. And no, we do not hate Islam or those who are members of Islam. They are our brothers and sisters. I’d be glad to introduce you to His story. Here is my telephone number. Call me when you have the chance and we’ll talk? Okay.”

The two girls became friends that day. With three years of their friendship, Sanchul secretly and against the will of her parents became a Christian on Christmas Day. Although Sanchul’s walk as a Christian and friendship with Carolyn began, so did her persecution and suffering. Her parents were furious when Sanchul told them she had become a Christian. She was threatened with death, beaten and told to reject the satanic religion called “Christianity”. No matter what was done to her, Sanchul would not reject Christ. Every time Sanchul faced hardship, she would see that painting in the Gilcrease museum and the suffering face of “that Man”. That face strengthened her.

“If He can suffer like that for me, my suffering is nothing by comparison. He did not give up on me. I will not give up on Him.”

Today, thousands of men, women and, yes, children, are being persecuted for their faith in virtually every nation where Christianity exists. The persecution is both overt and covert. Many tend to think of persecution and martyrs as only those who are physically tortured and put to death for their Christian faith. However, martyrs are also those who are ridiculed for their faith, shunned; have laws prohibiting the free exercise and public expression of their faith.

As Christian men, women and children, we need an awareness of our spiritual unity with these persecuted Christians both here and abroad. We need to, first of all pray that they will remain strong in their faith, and where possible, speak out against Christianophobia and the right to openly express beliefs in public places without fear of repression. Christians, here and abroad, should recognize that we have a strong family tie in Christ and that worldwide suffering for the faith is real. But prayer and peaceful overt vocal action is imperative within the Body of Christ—NOW.

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