Searching the Heavens, Waiting for Ramadan

Tonight will be the last day of Sha`ban and tomorrow Sunday, June 29 begins the first day of Ramadan. With hopeful hearts, many Muslims are looking to the heavens in search of a crescent moon, for which to herald the first call to prayer. As millions wait in eager anticipation, hoping for a miracle, let us pray! Let us pray that our holy and just, yet, tender-hearted God, who loves mercy, will redefine the miracle and reveal Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is the miracle of hope and definitive rescue.

In the book of Isaiah, God tells us that one day, “No longer will the sun be your light by day or the moon be your light by night; I, the LORD, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you. Your days of grief will come to an end. I, the LORD, will be your eternal light, more lasting than the sun and moon.”

This light, the light of glory is Jesus Messiah. Jesus Messiah, is the true light, who shines out into the world of darkness enlightening everyone, especially during Ramadan. Here is a story of one such man who received the miracle of Christ.

Hussein after hearing a Christian broadcast, met with a worker at a coffee shop to talk and receive a bible. The worker discovered that Hussein was studying Sharia to become an Imam “Who is this Christ—a prophet, the Son of God, or God?”, he asked. The worker drew an illustration representing the God of Islam and the God of Christianity. He told Hussein that in Islam, God is not relational and doesn’t take the image of a man. But with Jesus, Messiah, He is personal, multi- dimensional, has personality, speaks, and is the living God. They read from the Quran where Jesus Messiah is called the Word and Light. Hussein silently listened as the worker compared both religions. They continued discussing about God’s grace and Hussein replied, “The grace is Messiah.” The worker said, “For 1,500 years Muslims have been praying for this. Don’t you think that God has heard? The workers told Hussein, Jesus Messiah loves you and is saying to you, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” From then on, they began speaking about Messiah, the true light, Christ was revealed.

Let us pray that Muslims will find that the beauty of the moon is lost in the superior effulgence of Christ, the true light of truth.

Thank you holy Messiah, that You are light. Your character and very being is light, the light of revelation. Before knowing and having relationship with You, we didn’t know of Your light or your love. Thank you for revealing light and love by becoming flesh. Christ, our Lord, You became flesh and died willingly, courageously, and zealously so that we could be forgiven of the shame we carry. We don’t have to work it, earn it, or strive endlessly trying to reach the unreachable carrot. We only have to accept and dwell in Your love; the love You offered freely through the cross. You died even though we were dirty and covered in the filth that we so loved to roll in. You died for us, as we mockingly yelled insults at you; our mouths full and dripping with the muck of insatiable appetite. Yet, You loved, dying while we were still enemies to You. Most of the Bible is filled with stories of people who hated you…even Your friends did not listen or call to You. It is hard to understand that you would love us, even after all this. But you did love and continue to love.

We pray for our brothers and sisters who as yet, do not know you. We pray for that you will reveal and shine Your light, Christ into the darkness, as You promised so long ago. Please end their days of grief waiting and looking up to a darkened sky. Shine forth your true light of Grace, Jesus Messiah. Please redefine the miracle with Your truth. Thank you Jesus Christ, our Lord for what you will do. We eagerly wait.