The Beauty of a Humble God

I recently had a conversation with a Muslim taxi driver in an Arab country about the death and resurrection of Jesus. He listened politely, then stated emphatically, “The most important thing you need to know is that God would never allow his prophet to suffer like that.”

As Christians, we have become so desensitized to hearing about the suffering and death of Jesus that we forget just how offensive this idea is to many around the world. Muslims have such high respect and reverence for their concept of god that they utterly reject the idea that he would allow one of his prophets to be treated so. They accept Jesus as one of their “prophets” but have created a doctrine explaining that God rescued him before the crucifixion and a look-alike was killed in his place. Imagine their horror when they hear that not only do we say that Jesus did suffer and die, but that He, in fact, was God himself.

If you read all of Isaiah 53 together, you will see and marvel at the beauty and mystery of our humble God who achieved victory, not despite suffering, but by going through it.

Prayer

I thank You, Lord, for loving me so deeply that You were willing to suffer pain, humiliation, and death to bring me life. I pray that You would reveal this beautiful truth of who You are and the depth of Your love to Muslims around the world today. Show them that You were oppressed and afflicted so that Your wounds may heal them. Break through their offended hearts and minds and bring them revelation of You.