What is your faith worth to you? What is Jesus worth to you? If someone pointed a gun at you, would you deny Him? If you were constantly criticized or kicked out of your own family, is He worth it? It’s very easy to be a “Christian” in America. We rarely, if ever, have to suffer for our faith. I even think it’s hard for other people to identify us as Christians sometimes. The past week we met a few people who have given up everything for the sake of Jesus.
Pastor Yesudason has worked in the ministry since 1984, along with his wife Teresa. He reaches out to Hindu families mostly but also to anyone who is interested in Jesus. In 1992, he was working in a particular area of town doing home visitations. A group of men had been watching him and set up an ambush against him. They took turns beating him and left him for dead near train tracks in the middle of the Malaysian jungle. By the grace of God a train was passing, saw him and stopped. He was hospitalized for 1 month and is still living with the effects of certain injuries. Nevertheless he did not stop preaching or reaching out to the same families. He has continued to pay the price of his faith in the midst of a Muslim country surrounded by Hindus and Buddhists as well. He strongly believes that one day Malaysia will be considered a Christian nation and we will stand behind him and pray that it is soon.
Arasu (15) and his sister (16) met the Pastor when he came to visit their home 5 years ago. Both of them started attending church even though their entire family is Hindu. Because of their faith, the girl was beaten over the head with a brick by her mother. Instead of turning away she remains faithful to Jesus. Her parents still do not agree with their faith but are more open to letting their children choose what to believe or not.
Rebecca (L) and Gloria (R) are friends who attend Pastor’s church. Rebecca’s family is Hindu and sent her to an Islamic University to study, against her wishes. She has to wear the head covering to school and only knows 1 other friend who is a Christian. If anyone were to find out her faith, she would be kicked out of school and her family. She even has to cover her Bible with wrapping paper and if anyone asks she says it is an inspiration book.
Gloria’s husband has left her because of her faith. He is now with a Malay woman, even though they aren’t technically divorced. He does not agree with Gloria’s beliefs but she remains faithful to the church and Jesus. Both women get very lonely sometimes but find hope and joy in knowing that Jesus is everything they need.
I don’t want to tell you these stories to make you feel bad or guilty. It is to encourage you, strengthen your faith and hopefully inspire you to pray for the body of Christ all over the world. There are people paying a great price to follow Him and it is our job to lift them up in prayer. And no matter what we face here on earth, Jesus is worth it.
