I received a beautiful letter today and a humbling reminder that I wish to share with all of you..
Today is Maundy Thursday. It’s the day that Jesus, the Son of God, knelt before his disciples and washed their feet.
It’s an undignified task—even more so two millennia ago in a dusty, desert land where everyone wore sandals.
And yet, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist” (John 13:3-4). And so the Son of God washed the feet of His servants—and the one who would soon betray Him, Judas.
It’s hard to imagine a humility and love like this, but I often see it in the persecuted church. Time after time, I hear stories of Muslim families persecuting their Christian sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, because they have surrendered their lives over to Jesus. And while sometimes distance is essential for safety reasons, these brave believers long to return home to share the gospel one more time.
For many persecuted believers, their love for their families is greater than the hatred and persecution they face—and it gives them courage and hope in even the most dangerous and harrowing situations. They have found in Jesus a love that is so much greater than anything in the world, and they become servants for His sake. They are not perfect, and their paths are hard and long, but they are my heroes.
This Easter, may we rejoice in the God who humbled Himself…and defeated the grave! May we serve our victorious Savior with humility and love all the days of our lives.
In Him,
Joshua YoussefPresident and CEO
It’s an undignified task—even more so two millennia ago in a dusty, desert land where everyone wore sandals.
And yet, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist” (John 13:3-4). And so the Son of God washed the feet of His servants—and the one who would soon betray Him, Judas.
It’s hard to imagine a humility and love like this, but I often see it in the persecuted church. Time after time, I hear stories of Muslim families persecuting their Christian sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, because they have surrendered their lives over to Jesus. And while sometimes distance is essential for safety reasons, these brave believers long to return home to share the gospel one more time.
For many persecuted believers, their love for their families is greater than the hatred and persecution they face—and it gives them courage and hope in even the most dangerous and harrowing situations. They have found in Jesus a love that is so much greater than anything in the world, and they become servants for His sake. They are not perfect, and their paths are hard and long, but they are my heroes.
This Easter, may we rejoice in the God who humbled Himself…and defeated the grave! May we serve our victorious Savior with humility and love all the days of our lives.
In Him,
Joshua YoussefPresident and CEO
