Persecution

I recently read a couple of articles about the persecution of Christians happening around the world right now. A militant group known as ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) was said to be beheading children, raping and murdering mothers and daughters, and committing the most herendous acts of evil this world has seen in a long time. I prayed last night, that God would rise up and defend the innocent who cannot defend themselves. I prayed for justice. Honestly, in my heart I would love to see people like this destroyed, paid back the full measure for their crimes. I would love to see justice.

I thought about Jesus last night as I prayed. I thought about how he was brutally executed, and how, somehow he prayed "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Why? Why would a just God pray such a thing? "They know not what they do?" Really? I think they knew exactly what they were doing. So why? Why did he pray for the Father to forgive them as they were murdering him?

In Acts 7:60, we see Stephen say something similar after he is stoned by his peers, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Again, why? These people wrongfully took his life! They just killed him by hurling rocks at him!

I think part of the answer is perspective. I believe Jesus and Stephen shared a similar perspective. Before Stephen was stoned he said that he saw Heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Imagine that! Our hope, unseen, suddenly realized. Imagine the cares that would fall off of your shoulders. Imagine the freedom. Imagine the peace. Imagine the perspective of the brevity of life on Earth, and the reality of eternity with God. Doesn't it change everything? Would you worry about revenge on your enemies? Or would you realize the extent of grace you've received and pray like Jesus and Stephen?

Deuteronomy 32:35 says, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them. Indeed the LORD will give justice to his people...(NLT)." Until that day, may the hearts of our enemies be softened and may they put their trust in Jesus, the way, the truth and the life, for they know not what they do. May His chosen, persecuted people, keep their eyes fixed on their wonderful hope and not let men steal the peace that is theirs.