The Living Word: Jesus finds a way

Muslim countries are closed to open proclamation of the gospel. But Jesus has found a way into the hearts of thousands of Muslims in many countries. Increasingly there are stories of devout Muslims seeing Jesus in visions and dreams. Because their revered founder, Muhammad, claimed to experience visions and dreams, his followers are very open to them. They live in a culture of shame and honor, compelled conduct, cruel tactics of moral police, coercive suppression. When they have an encounter with Jesus, they experience infinite kindness in His countenance and hear a convincingly tender voice proclaiming, ‘I love you’. Their hearts melt at the genuine gentleness, and are overwhelmed with a sense of loving acceptance. They feel no coercion or fear, and their spirits are warmed with a welcoming freedom.

Here’s a part of one true ongoing story. Amir was raised in Jordan as a nominal Christian among a large Muslim population. He had little use for Christianity and less regard for Muslims. On a business trip to Saudi Arabia the border officials unexpectedly stamped his passport as Muslim. This puzzled and annoyed him. That same night Jesus appeared to him visibly and opened his heart toward the Muslims with great compassion and true love, saying to him, ‘Pray for them’. Jesus spoke further, ‘You have a mission to the Muslims, Amir. Go and pray for them in Mecca.’ His trip coincided with the hajj (the month-long pilgrimage to Mecca). Amir responded to the visit from Jesus by repenting of his sins, confessing them, and saying, ‘I’m Yours, Lord. I’ll follow you anywhere.’ He was then also infused with holy boldness.

Amir extended his stay in the country for five days, bought the accepted garb for a pilgrim, traveled to Mecca, and endured the extreme discomfort of the crowding hordes of people and the exhaustion of the scorching heat. Continually he silently prayed with genuine love for the people, whose faces did not reveal happiness or fulfillment despite the great sacrifices they made for this journey of a lifetime.

He overheard one Muslim comment to another that Jesus had appeared to him several times, and he wondered what it meant. Amir became aware that there were others among these crowds who had the same mission to pray. He was also aware that he was being closely watched as a suspect of not being a true Muslim. Anyone who is not Muslim who tries to attend the ceremonies of the hajj is speedily executed. He saw the official executioner looking for infiltrators or religious violators, and then take action, which sickened him. He was aware of being followed, and he discovered the contents he had left in his room were rifled through by secret police.

When Amir got on the bus to depart, he sat in the very back to escape being noticed. Two policemen came aboard the bus and were systematically searching the passports of the passengers, comparing them with a picture they held. He realized that they were looking for him. At the following bus stop the astute bus driver, against the command of the police, opened the back door and closed it quickly after Amir had made his exit. To his surprise and relief he discovered a taxi awaiting him--provided by a converted Muslim who was instructed by the Lord to rescue him.

Those who have had visitations from Jesus, some as many as 45 days in a row, seek answers from a Bible believer and welcome a Bible to instruct them. Many thousands of believers secretly meet in small groups to worship, pray, read the Bible, and encourage one another, knowing the dangers of being discovered and severely dealt with. (Excerpted from the book Visions and Dreams by Tom Doyle.)

Why share this story? In the US and Canada there are at least five million Muslims. They are removed from the ancient tribal families. Jesus has found a way to reach them in their former homeland. Surely He will reach out to them in America as well. Dear reader, you may be asking, What is my role? We must not look on Muslims as enemies, or feel threatened. We can show how Jesus would act, by our kindness overtly, and by our prayers. There will be some who read this who will accept the call to pray for Jesus to bring peace, and assurance of salvation to Muslims in our country, as well as around the world. We don’t know how Jesus will work because of our prayers, or whom He will reach, but we have the assurance that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16).