Pray for Osama bin Laden

Do you remember what happened to Saul of Tarsus – he was a man who hated the early Christians and persecuted them.  He was personally responsible for the murder of St Stephen who was stoned to death. 

One day Saul was on his way to Damascus (modern day Syria) to arrest Christians when he was arrested by the power of God and converted.  Saul’s name was changed to Paul and he served Jesus Christ wholeheartedly suffering many times for the name of Jesus and setting a great example for us all.  We refer to him as St Paul.

Imagine if Osama bin Laden found Christ in a similar way.  He would be radical for Jesus and be willing to do anything in His name.  If he was persecuted and suffered it would be nothing.  If he was martyred for Jesus it would be a privelege.  Plus Osama is a murderer just the same as St Paul was.  In my opinion they have similarities. 

We have often heard what the Media has to say about Osama bin Laden - but the media rarely actually quotes him.  I located this speech online last week whilst doing some research and thought it was interesting.  We are always told to “put ourselves in someone else’s shoes” – so for just one minute as you read this speech imagine you are Osama.  Osama is a man of passion who fervently believes in what he preaches.  Imagine that passion, fervour and devotion centred on Christ. 

What Osama Said After 9–11

The events of September 11 are but a reaction to the continued injustice and oppression being practised against our sons in Palestine and Iraq and in Somalia and in Southern Sudan, and in other places like Kashmir and Assam.  This matter concerns the whole Islamic nation. (Ummah)

It is incumbent on the people to wake up from their sleep and rush to devise a solution to this disastrous problem that threatens mankind entirely today. 

As for those who condemned these operations, they looked at the event in isolation and failed to connect them to past events and did not look at the causes that lead to this result.  So their point of view is narrow. 

Their attitude is not in accord with, and not based on either a religious legal nor even a rational perspective.  They just saw America and the media critisizing these operations so they stood up with them in criticism. 

Their example is like the story of the wolf that saw a newborn lamb.  So it said to this lamb, “You are the one who dirtied my water last year.” 

The lamb replied, “It was not me.” 

“It WAS you” the wolf insisted.

The lamb said “Well, I was born this year.” 

The wolf said, “So it must have been your mother!”  and ate the lamb. 

And what could the poor mother do when it saw it’s son being torn in pieces between the teeth of the wolf?  But in the passion of motherhood, she butted the wolf.  Of course the wolf was not affected at all, however it shouted out, “Look at this terrorist!” 

So these parrots joined in, repeating what the wolf said and saying, “Yes, we condemn the ewe’s butt against the wolf.”  Where have you been when the wolf ate the son of the sheep? 

So, these blessed and successful strikes are but in reaction to what happened in our lands -

Comments

We see the world differently to Mr Bin. Laden – but that does not mean we should hate.  Hate is of the evil one and would make us evil ourselves.  Instead we love, and the best way to love is to pray.  Let us pray for Osama bin Laden to find salvation and then I believe we would have a “revolutionary” who would do anything for Jesus – just like St Paul.