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Masih
and the Messiah
From
time to time, a three-year-old Pakistini girl named
Diya turns to her mother and repeats one word:
“Papa.” Her
“papa,” Pervaiz Masih, died on October 20, leaving
behind a wife, daughter, mother, and other family
members. He
is being hailed by many as a hero.
A
suicide bomber disguised in women’s clothing
approached the cafeteria at the women’s campus of
Islamabad’s International Islamic University.
He shot the guard on duty and then tried to
enter the cafeteria where 300 to 400 young women were
sitting. The
only obstacle was Masih who was working in the
cafeteria as a janitor.
According to eyewitness reports, Masih told the
man that he could not come inside because there were
girls inside. They
began arguing when suddenly the bomb went off.
Because Masih had intercepted the bomber in the
doorway, many of the bomber’s explosive vest’s
arsenal of ball bearings shot out into the parking lot
instead of into the cafeteria.
Three students were killed in the blast, but
hundreds were spared due to Masih’s heroic efforts.
Masih’s
actions have captured the attention of many not just
because of his lowly occupation and his selfless
sacrifice but also because he has been described as a
Christian man.
Professor
Fateh Muhammad Malik, the rector of the university,
stated: “Pervez Masih rose above the barriers of
caste, creed and sectarian terrorism.
Despite being a Christian, he sacrificed his
life to save the Muslim girls.”
“He
is a national hero because he saved the lives of many
girls,” said Shahbaz Bhatti, minister of minorities
in the Pakistani government.
“As a Christian, a person of minority, he
stood in front of the Taliban to protect the
university.”
Masih’s
courageous conduct reflects the Supreme Sacrifice that
was made on behalf of ALL people in the world...
When
WE were condemned to destruction due to our sins,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave Himself to die for
our sins (Ephesians 1:7).
He died for us so that we might have ETERNAL
life: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT
of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
6:23).
In
order to receive the benefits of Jesus’ atoning
sacrifice, we must:
believe
and trust Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). Then
as we seek to live in faithful obedience to His will,
His blood continues to cleanse us from sin (1 John
1:7).
Because
of His love for us, Jesus – the promised Messiah –
rose above all barriers of caste, creed, and race and
gave His life so that YOU and I might live eternally.
Won’t
YOU accept His offer on
His terms?
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
*
Information gleaned from “Christian Janitor Died Saving Muslim
Students” by Ivan Watson of CNN.com
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