[Content warning] “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Back in Hamburg, I recently met with an Iranian parishioner who is preparing for her asylum court hearing. Our Iranian congregants—like all asylum seekers in Germany—have to defend their Christian faith before a judge. As always, there is tension in the air when we review our study guide because our Iranian brothers and sisters in the faith realize that the stakes are very high. “Mess up—and there’s a chance you’ll be deported…” One key question is, “Why did you become a Christian?” Her reply was one that I’ve heard many times before: “Christianity gives me a peace that I couldn’t find in Islam. And it teaches me how to live. Also, in Christianity women have a role and value that is equal to men. That is not the case in Islam,” she said, looking off into the distance. “That is all certainly true,” I replied, “but is there more to Christianity that you can think of?” “Well, yes,” she responded.” “Only Christianity offers the forgiveness of sins and the certainty of eternal life for all who are baptized and believe in Jesus Christ.” “Exactly,” I replied. Then she added, “In Islam, blood must flow when someone commits a sin.” I asked her to elaborate. She answered with a pained expression: “If someone steals something in Iran, his hand is cut off. If a woman is caught in adultery, she is stoned…” “In Christianity, there is blood too,” I noted. “Really?” she asked in astonishment. “Yes…but here’s the big difference. In our religion, it is not the blood of the sinner that is demanded. Rather it was the blood of Jesus Christ—the *sinless* one—that flowed. As He gave Himself up for us on the cross, not only did His blood pay the price for all our sins, it even purchased for us forgiveness.” Her eyes focusing on an invisible spot on the table, she mused: “I grieve for all the blood that flows in Iran—unjustly and cruelly. And I thank Jesus that He shed His blood—even for me…”
The Tiews in Germany 