A Family Under Siege
Isham looked at the guard, then back at her mother. “Come home soon, mama,” she said. Asia’s imprisonment did not stop the persecution of her family and those who supported her – Muslims harassed Ashiq and the children so much that they had to move five (5) times in seventeen (17) months; an Imam (Muslim teacher) at a mosque in northwestern Pakistan even issued a ‘fatwa’ against Asia, offering a six-thousand-dollar reward to anyone who would kill her. The reward was a sizable sum of money for people who lived on just a few dollars a day so her family worried that a prison guard would try to kill her or that a kitchen worker might poison her food. Two Pakistani politicians – Governor Salman Taseer and Federal Minister of Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti – spoke out publicly in support of Asia.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Bhatti recorded a video in which he stated that he would not be deterred by those who “want to impose their radical philosophy on Pakistan… I believe in Jesus Christ, who has given His own life for us; I know what the meaning of the cross is, and I am ready to die for His cause. I am living for my community and suffering people, and I will die to defend their rights.” Soon afterwards, he did, and so did Taseer – assassins murdered both of them. Bhattis favourite verses were Matthew 5:10 and 11: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Faith Beyond the World
As much as we might try to cling to the things of this world, the faithful lives of these brothers and sisters in Christ remind us that Jesus’ followers are not of this world; but, just because our ultimate destination is not of this world, does not mean that we have no responsibilities here on earth. God still calls all of His people to be faithful while on earth – to pray, to know and apply His Word, to be salt and light wherever we live, and to love one another. Asia, Ashia, Isha, Isham, the family of Shahbaz Bhatti, and other brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted and incarcerated and are suffering even worse fates for the cause of Christ. They continue to glorify God, knowing and demonstrating to the world that our true hope lies in® heaven, in eternity with Jesus. They know that God is faithful and always uses His obedient people to further His work on earth, and that includes bringing good out of their own horrible circumstances. Unified with the global family of Jesus’ followers around the world, they treasure our prayers for strength and the will to sacrifice everything for Jesus. May they find strength from their brothers and sisters in faith.
The End.
Date: 14th December 2024
Martyr: Asia Bibi (Part Two)
Location: Pakistan
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs “I am n”
Author: Not Specified
Suffering Saturday 121
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