Pursuing Jesus
Rebekah S. Cox
WCFS Senior Class Secretary of 2007
“If you don’t become a Muslim, you will be shot.” Hatred filled the eyes of the leader and his band of men as he threatened 17-year-old Mary Khoury and her family, waving his weapon around carelessly, while they knelt in front of their house.
“… Go ahead and shoot,” said Mary, knowing that Jesus was given a similar choice, and that He had said to Christians, ‘don’t deny your faith.’ “I will obey Christ…”
The sound of a gun echoed through the valley as Mary’s body fell limply to the ground. She was found two days later by the Red Cross, and was the only one of her family that was still alive, but her arms where left useless by the bullet. She committed her life to bring the Muslims the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, even though they killed both her mother and father, and handicapped her.1
“…Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed… that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God… and to all of you, do not think more highly of himself then he ought…as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith… Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another… serving the Lord… patient in tribulation… given to hospitality… bless those who persecute you… do not curse… repay no one evil for evil.” -Romans 12: 1-4, 9-12, 14-17.
As you can see, the Bible is self explanatory about a Christians walk. The story earlier mentioned brought to light two things.
The first thing is, she was willing to sacrifice herself for her faith in Christ. Would we deny our faith to save others or ourselves? Are we so grounded in Christ that no matter what comes our way, we will not waver from our faith? Instead, knowing the price that Jesus paid to give us eternal life, we strengthen our resolve in Christ, and make Him known to those who are oppressing us.
The second thing is, even after her mother and father were brutally killed, and she was stripped of human dreams, she still dedicated her life to working with Muslims, bringing them to new life in Christ. Would we be able to do that? Christians so often get bent out of shape about ‘what other people did to them’. Have we tried showing Christ’s love and forgiveness? Christians will often pick-up a trail of little offenses against other Christians… forgetting that “Love bares all things…” How are we to fellowship in Christ, and be an example to unbelievers if we are constantly living hypocritically?
None of us are perfect, that’s why God gives grace to the humble and calls each Christian to him. We all have different measures of faith that Christ calls us to so we learn to trust Him better. Didn’t Christ say: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 5: 7,9& 10? I pray that each of us would come to realize how little time we are given here on earth, must we spend it in hatred or resentment toward others?
“Therefore, as the elect of God… put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing up one another, and forgiving one anther, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all… put on love… and let the peace of God rule your hearts… and be thankful.”-Colossians 3: 12- 15.
Let us be true followers of Christ, pursuing Him like those who have gone before us, holding fast to Christ, for He said: “I, the Lord have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, and as a light to the Gentiles.” -Is. 42: 6.
1. Taken from “Jesus Freaks” - by dc Talk & The Voice of the Martyrs, the story of Mary Khoury from Damour, Lebanon. During Lebanese civil war, 1972-1992.