Muslims are celebrating Eid al Adha next week--their biggest annual religious celebration. They commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son. According to the Bible and later mentioned in the Qur'an, God intervened and supplied a lamb--a substitute. His son was spared.
Many Muslims slaughter a sheep to remember this sacrifice. One of my friends announced that he would sacrifice a goat during the week-end and divide the meat between themselves, their relatives, and the poor. Most Muslims don't know the true meaning of the sacrifice. They know they need to follow Abraham's example and by doing so hope to gain God's favor.
On the day of Eid, the Muslim community gathers for prayers, usually in a rented hall to accommodate a large crowd. Then they go home and prepare a big meal followed by visits to their Muslim neighbors and friends. Past misunderstandings are put aside and they go around greeting each other.
Can we use Eid al Adha as a bridge to the Gospel with Muslims? Yes, sacrifice and redemption are at the core of the Gospel summary in 1 Corinthians 15:3(Injil). Jesus truly was crucified and died on the cross and rose again so that we can live eternally. The Introduction to the 'All Nations Series' of the Jesus dvd (click) helps explain to our Muslim friends how Abraham's sacrifice foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice for everyone.
Most of my Muslim friends consider it impossible that Jesus could be their substitute and don't even see themselves as sinners. But for the small mistakes they make, they hope to make up for them. The thought is that if one continues to improve and keeps the requirements of Islam then perhaps God will have mercy and save me from hell.
In 'Connecting with Muslims' (page 148) Fuoad Masri shares this story:
"If a friend of mine asks me to watch his house while he travels, he expects me to take care of his possessions. But lets say that while he is gone, I accidentally destroy the furniture. To make up for my lapse of judgement, I wash his car as a gesture of goodwill. Does washing his car cover the cost of replacing the furniture? No! If I ask my friend to have mercy and forgive me for destroying his furniture since I washed the car, is it acceptable? Of course not!
Even if he forgave me, my friend still has to pay for the new furniture. Likewise, our good works are not righteous enough compared to God's righteousness. Our good works will never erase sin, for we are expected to do good and obey God's commandments.
In contrast to a Muslim's perspective, a Christian standpoint sees God as holy and all humans as sinful. No one is righteous in the sight of God. Sin must be punished by death, an eternal separation from God. All are in need of salvation through an eternal sacrifice. Only Jesus was sinless from birth and conquered sin and Satan. As the Word of God, Jesus is the only one who can intercede for and redeem all humanity."
Dear Jesus, you are the only lamb of God. Thank-you for salvation that you freely give through your ultimate sacrifice. Amen.
