Choosing Christ when Facing Death

(In a season of giving thanks, there is no better time than to remember the persecuted church and those who – right now – are suffering for the sake of the gospel.)

Youcef Nadarkhani is a name you’ve probably never heard of. But he’s become one of my heros.

Youcef is a Christian pastor who lives in Iran – a country dominated by Islam. Back in 2009 he humbly, yet courageously protested when the school his sons were attending were being forced Islamic teaching. He was arrested and put in prison. During this time, Pastor’s Youcef’s faith in Christ was revealed, and that he was pastoring some 400 other Christians – many who had converted from Islam. The Iranian religious leaders gave Youcef a choice – either reject his faith in Christ and embrace Islam…or die.

While in prison, they tried propaganda, making him read literature that claims Christianity is a lie. That didn’t work. They tried to drug him. That didn’t work. They repeatedly beat him and placed him in solitary confinement. That didn’t work.

Then they arrested his wife and ran her through a mock trial. They found her guilty of apostasy and sentenced her to life in prison. Still Youcef trusted God and held to his faith in Christ. Soon, his wife’s charges were overturned and she was set free. Then they threatened to take his sons – 7 and 9 years old – and give them to Muslim parents unless he denied Christ. Still, Youcef chose Christ.

Youcef has chosen Christ over his own life, over his wife, over his children. He has embraced persecution for the sake of the gospel. And to this day, he still sits in an Iranian prison, where his health is deteriorating and he could be executed at any moment, yet he refuses to deny Christ.

One news article reports…

During one hearing he was told to recant and he responded, “You ask me to recant. Recant means to return. What do you wish me to return to? The blasphemy that I was in before Christ?” The judges responded, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.” Youcef replied, “I cannot.”

In September of this year, the Supreme Court in Iran reviewed his case and passed down a sentence of death by hanging for “turning his back on Islam” and “converting Muslims to Christianity.” Pastor Youcef sits in an Iranian prison, awaiting either the sentence to be overturned, or to be a killed for the sake of the gospel.

Unfortunately, Youcef’s story is not uncommon. For the last 2000 years, Christians from across the globe have suffered persecution and death. Countless numbers of brothers and sisters in Christ have chosen imprisonment and death over denying their Lord.

When you’ve seen Jesus, when His gospel has changed your life, nothing else can compare to His beauty and splendor. As Paul says, everything else is worthless – nothing else compares to the worth of knowing Christ.

During this Thanksgiving holiday, take time to pray for Youcef, his family, and for the persecuted Church across the world.