Justice is hard-wired into all of us. We all have a sense of fairness, and when injustice shows its ugly face, something cries out within us, “NO! This is wrong!”
As of December 6th, 2010, Asia Bibi a Christian field worker in Pakistan, mother of five children, wife to a Christian husband, is scheduled to be hanged. Why? The allegations are more shaky now, as the accusers are being less specific, as it “will complicate matters” worse if they do say exactly what Asia said. Her crime was speaking against the prophet Mohamad.
There is a possibility that she might be pardoned by the president. This great news is quickly sombered by a threat shared by many. A local cleric announced, with the backing and authorization of Pakistan’s second largest local newspaper, that if the judicial system does not hang her, a reward will be given to anyone who can kill her.
“Maulana Yousaf Qureshi, offered a 500,000 rupee (£3,800) reward to anyone who killed Bibi if the court fails to hang her.”
– The Guardian
Canada and other nations have offered asylum to Bibi and her family, if they survive what their kinsmen are threatening upon them. While Asia is in jail, her family is continuously receiving death threats, saying things like “Wait til we get our hands on you.”
Brothers and sisters, do not be angered too much. Don’t burn with hate towards the people carrying out these terrifying acts of injustice. Instead, remember the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”
– Luke 6:27-28
Why? Does it even make sense to love those who hate you? If this life was all there was, no it would not make sense. But because we serve a God who has provisioned life after death, a life eclipsing this one in greatness, it makes every bit of sense. We Christians have an eternal focus, that allows us to truly not be afraid of what mortal man can do to us.
Jesus said, “love those who hate you.” Why would God want you to love those Pakistanis, or anyone who would hate you? God want’s them as his own. God wants to redeem them. Because God is eternal he works in his eternal scope of work. It may take a believer loving a very hard to love person for them to hear the good news of salvation. In God’s divinely perfect plan he has deemed us as messengers to the world, of the good news of Salvation to ALL who believe.
But in this hour, remember to pray for Asia and her family. Soon she will join her maker in perfect paradise, but her family will be left with a scar of a memory, a testimony of their mothers faith, and a life to live on earth for God’s glory. Losing a loved one is difficult, and honestly I can’t relate to the Bibi, but much painful struggle must be the theme of days recently. Pray for strength for them, pray for perseverance, and safety!!
Don’t forget to pray for the Pakistani’s who are carrying out this unjust deed, also. As Christ prayed on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Here are some articles to read about whats going on;
The Guardian – Cleric Puts Price on Pakistani Woman’s Head
altMuslim – A sip of water (a Muslims perspective on the event and a look into the blasphemy laws)
His Peace Upon Us – Death for Blasphemy? (a missionary who’s writing I’ve greatly appreciated)
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UPDATE!: January 11, 2010
Politician working on revising the Blasphemy laws, was asassinated last week.
At a market in Islamabad on Tuesday, Mr. Qadri pumped more than 20 rounds into Mr. Taseer’s back, Pakistani media reported, and yet was not fired on by any other member of the security detail, raising still more questions about whether any of the others knew of his plans in advance.
Mr. Qadri immediately surrendered, called himself a “slave of the Prophet,” and indicated that he had killed Mr. Taseer for his campaign against the blasphemy law.