I Used to Beat Him

 I read the story of a man on a mission trip who met an Ethiopian pastor named Haji. Haji was a former Muslim. He was radicalized even going to Saudi Arabia for specialized training in how to persecute Christians. He made it his mission to eradicate Christians and Christianity in the section of Ethiopia where he lived. 

All that changed when Haji met Jesus in a profound encounter like when Paul met Jesus on the Damascus Road. [Acts 9:1-8] Haji draped his arm over the shoulder of an evangelist who helped him come to faith in Jesus. Haji's testimony is sobering. Looking at the evangelist he said, "I used to beat him." No matter how severely Haji treated the evangelist, this man of God would not respond in hatred and would not quit proclaiming the good news of Jesus. It eventually won Haji over. 

Haji is now a pastor. Muslims hate him for turning to Jesus. They tried to burn his house down, but Haji was able to put the fires out. Heavy stones are thrown onto his grass roof leaving gaping holes and creating danger for his family when the stones fall through the roof. Haji once persecuted followers of Jesus and now he is the one persecuted. He accepts this joyfully. He is undeterred in his faith and resolved to show other Muslims the way, truth, and life found in Jesus. [Jn 14:6]

It is easy to judge people and write them off. Weekly I encounter such people at a substance abuse detox center. The language is vile. Most of the clients are tattooed all over and smoke. If they are not smoking outside, they are vaping inside.  Most have been rejected by churches. Many are written off as too far gone. I've encountered alcoholics, meth addicts, prescription pill addicts, homeless people, and even people on fentanyl. Some are Christians caught up in bondage. Some have never heard about Jesus and never held a Bible. It is refreshing to see God open their eyes and draw them to Himself. Nobody is too far gone that God cannot reach them. Jesus has saved numerous people over the last few years. 

The evangelist did not give up on Haji. He prayed, he witnessed, and he suffered at the hands of Haji bravely and joyfully. Now Haji lives on mission for the very Jesus he used to persecute. What a powerful testimony. One I hope we can learn from today.