I know. It seems strange doesn’t it? But it’s right there in the Bible. In black and white…err…red. In Matthew 26. Jesus has taken some of his disciples into the garden with him and asked them to pray for him while he goes off to pray. And he prays:
“And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”" Matt. 26:39 ESV
Jesus knew what was coming, and asked God that if there was another way for the sins of the entire people of all history to be forgiven of sin, then for that to happen. But above that he prayed that the will of God be done. He prayed that the will of God be done over his desire.
By now, most of the world has heard of Youcef Nadarkhani. You don’t need me to lay out his whole story for you, there are pundits and better bloggers than I who can do that. He is an Iranian pastor who has been sentenced to death for not recanting his belief in Christ in a country where that is illegal. Things aren’t going well.
In most of the Christian circles I’m a part of or know of, in the Christian twitter and blogosphere, the cry has been to call for the government to resend the execution sentence, and allow Nadaekhani to go free. I’m curious though what the reaction in their area is. I wonder what the reaction from his close friends has been. I know that their context of belief is different than the context I’ve come to know. I spend my time arguing about what kind of worship is better, and whether or not I like the sermon/speaker. Their time is spent figuring out where they can meet and for how long.
It makes me wonder why we’re praying what we’re praying. There is no reason that we should think he has more of a right to life than anyone else who claims to follow Christ. I’m NOT saying I want the guy to die. I’m NOT saying I think he should die. I’m wondering if our prayers are coming from a place of personal comfort that we’re used to. I’m wondering if our prayers aren’t better placed in “God your will be done”, and our action placed in efforts to see his life spared but knowing that though our God is able to spare his life, even if He doesn’t, we will continue to worship Him.
It would be a testament to the power of our God to see the life of Youcef Nadarkhani spared from death. It would also be a testament to the power of our God if this man were to lose his life, and we were to celebrate his life knowing that God has a bigger plan. Jesus’ desire was for the will of God to be done. I’ve never met the man and I don’t think he wants to die, but I would guess that it is the desire of Youcef Nadarkhani to see the will of God be done. It ought to be our desire. Regardless of the outcome.
Grace & Peace,
Stippick
