The teenage boy gripped the shaky handle of a charred brass kettle. He poured a syrupy mixture of tea and sugar crystals into little cups. The first cups were handed to the guests, Steve and Fadil. Only then did the boy serve the others in the room, all long-bearded, devout Syrian men. It was already late into the night, but the boy knew that if he kept moving, they would allow him to stay. He wanted to keep his hard-earned place among the grown men.
The conversation was as thick as the cigarette smoke wafting out the front door. Under the flickering fluorescent lights, the Muslim men listened to the words of Scripture. They took turns speaking, grappling with truths about the sacrifice of Jesus.
This was a Kingdom night. The Spirit was moving, and the men were hearing—for the first time—about God’s plan for earthly and heavenly peace in Jesus Christ.
Steve, a Frontiers field worker, and his friend Fadil, a Muslim-background follower of Christ, had been studying the Bible with this group of Syrian men for almost a year.
Steve and Fadil had proceeded slowly when it came to introducing the Muslim men to God’s Word, starting with creation and continuing through the Old Testament accounts. Before each meeting, they chose scriptures carefully and deliberately. They wanted to be bold but not hasty.
Now, the men seemed to be growing unsettled with the deliberate pace. They wanted unveiled truth, and they were irritated with Fadil and Steve’s conservative approach.
So, on this night, the two decided to share much more. They were going to introduce their Muslim friends to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Syrian men already knew about blood sacrifices. Every year, each Muslim family slaughters an unblemished lamb during Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. It’s an act that commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son to God.
But little did the Muslim men know that right in front of them, in their annual Eid al-Adha sacrifices, was a reflection of the Great Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But His sacrifice wasn’t just another annual ritual. Jesus’ sacrifice brought into the world a new, unshakable peace.
Steve shared about how Christ’s final sacrifice was poured out for them. He told them how the blood of Christ covers their shame. Fadil continued by describing Jesus’ justifying work that reconciles us to God, allowing us to stand before Him in peace and honor.
On that night, ten men expressed sorrow for having never honored the sacrifice. Two of them dared to acknowledge Jesus Christ as King.
Clearly, God is working in this group of Syrian men. “By God’s grace, they continue to move forward toward the Prince of Peace,” says Steve. “And they keep asking us for more.”
May the seed of God’s Word being planted in their hearts bear fruit and yield a hundredfold (Matthew 13:23)!
Ask the Lord for a great harvest among this group of Syrian men, their families, and their people—that they would treasure the Prince of Peace.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.
Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/tea-and-cigarettes
