The more you know about your audience, the better you can serve them. The more you understand how they think and what they believe, the better you can relate to them and start from where they are and guide them on the journey.
This month, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the three-day holiday of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) at the end of al-Hajj (pilgrimage). During al-Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham.
One of Abraham’s main trials was God’s command for him to sacrifice his only son, whom Muslims believe to be Ishmael. Upon hearing this command, Abraham prepared to submit to God’s will. When he was all prepared to do it, God revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to obey God.
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham’s trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep or goat. Families usually eat together and give away portion of the meat to the poor.
Muslims understand that animal sacrifices will not secure forgiveness of sin, but still cannot explain why the concept was introduced by God and why he referred to it as, “… and We have redeemed him with a great sacrifice.” It only makes sense in light of the “perfect” sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life to grant us forgiveness and eternal life.
This is something we keep in mind when writing programs to build bridges with our Muslim friends – starting with common ground. Our drama series “The Promise Journey” depicts the life of Abraham, his great faith, his obedience and, yes, his human struggles. One person commented on the drama, “I’ve always thought of prophets as superheroes… but listening to Abraham’s life story, I realized he was an ordinary human being, like you and me, who put his faith and trust in God… perhaps I can do that too…”
Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters that the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world may reveal Himself to them as they celebrate the feast of sacrifice!
“…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Pet. 18, 19)
