“Professor, can we look at your Bible?” asked Omar, one of Andre’s new university students. “You said you always have it with you. Can we see what it says?”

Andre, a Frontiers worker, had just wrapped up the first day of English class for the new semester when Omar and his classmate Faisal approached him. Andre pulled out an Arabic New Testament from his bag and handed it to Omar. This was exactly the type of interaction he hoped would happen each time he gave his testimony to a new class of students and shared how Christ has transformed his life.

“Is there something I can help you two find?” he asked the students.

They smiled nervously, shook their heads, and stepped away to flip through the pages of the Bible.

As Andre gathered his teaching notes, he thought about the Muslim students who had come to him over the years, asking for a Bible just like Omar and Faisal did. Some of these students had been curious about what Christians believe. A few wanted to find biblical evidence to support their belief in Islam as the true religion. Others were seeking the hope of the Gospel. No matter the reason for their interest, Andre rejoiced in these opportunities to invite his students to discover Jesus and start following Him.

The two students were whispering loudly. Andre heard one of them explain that they needed to find a certain passage about God promising to send the Holy Spirit. If they found the right verse, then they could convince Christians that Muhammad was the true fulfillment of this promise. Andre figured they were looking for John 14:26.

“I can help you find the verse,” Andre jumped in. “But first, can we talk about something else?”

He pulled together some chairs and invited Omar and Faisal to sit down with him. He told them the story of Adam and about the human problem with sin. Then Andre shared how Abraham nearly sacrificed his son. He finished with the story of Moses and the first Passover. After sharing these stories, Andre explained how God used an animal sacrifice in each one to bring people into right relationship with Him.

Omar and Faisal knew about Adam, Abraham, and Moses—figures who appear in the Quran. But what the Quran doesn’t offer is the sure hope of salvation that is so central to the biblical narrative. The two young men had never seen the connection between sacrifice and redemption.

“The real sacrifice is Christ,” Andre explained. “The other sacrifices were simply hinting at Jesus’ sacrifice to come.” He showed Omar and Faisal John 1:29, in which John the Baptist declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

“Jesus knew He would die,” Andre continued. “He came for that purpose. On the cross, He chose to lay down His life in sacrifice. Then He rose to life, redeeming us and promising to raise us with Him.”

“If this is true, then Jesus’ death on the cross makes sense,” Faisal said. “I want to hear more.”

Omar and Faisal have continued meeting with Andre to study the Bible and learn about Jesus. They’ve also invited him to visit their homes to share the Gospel with their families. Praise God for opening their hearts to the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

• Pray that Omar and Faisal will continue seeking Jesus and surrender their lives to Him as Lord and Savior.
• Ask the Lord to work in Muslim families and draw entire households into the Kingdom.
• Pray for Frontiers workers to share the Gospel with clarity so that Muslims will hear and receive it with joy.

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**

Main photo by Rumman Amin

Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/context-of-the-cross