Sheep Without A Shepherd

If you were trying to summarize key points of the Gospel quickly, it might look something like this:

Jesus, the Son of God, became human and dwelt among us.

He died on the cross and was resurrected after three days.

Through Him, we have a way to the Father.

He ascended to the Father and sent His Spirit.

Jesus will return to judge and redeem the world.

Paul often spoke out against teachers who came to deceive people with any “gospel” other than this. It appears as if the Enemy took this as a direct challenge. Islam was founded when their prophet Mohammad claimed that an angel visited him with a message from God. The message he spoke, however, directly contradicts the true and original Gospel of Jesus. In the words of Paul, it is, therefore, “accursed.” Islamic teachings posit that God does not have a son, that Jesus (Isa) was not crucified, that He ascended to heaven without dying, that humans can earn their own way to God, and that Jesus will return only in the last days to reaffirm the “truth” of Islam.

Therefore, any Muslim who hears about Jesus and chooses to follow Him has to learn who Jesus is and who He is not. They have to backtrack and deconstruct what is often a lifetime of deceptive teachings. It is a much harder path than many others face. We, therefore, need to have compassion and set our hearts to intercede for them all the more. Christ deeply loves them and longs for them to be set free.

Prayer

Lord, please help us to see Muslims from Your perspective; as harassed and helpless sheep without a shepherd. They have been deceived by a false “gospel” and bound by its lies. We know that this grieves Your heart and that You long for them to be free to know You and love You. Please teach us how to pray for and love the Muslims in our communities, having compassion on them as You do.