Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Nasrullah Khan (1908)
Witnessed Martyrdom
When Nasrullah Khan saw the face of a Christian man, Abdul Karim (see May 16), radiant with the light of Christ as he was violently martyred in Afghanistan in 1906, it left a lasting impression on him. He was not a Christian at the time of Abdul’s horrific murder, which involved torture at the hands of an angry mob, but Nasrullah told a missionary that he could not forget the picture of serenity he saw on Abdul’s face. It made such an impact that when Nasrullah later heard the Gospel, he became a Christian.
Because he had been born a Muslim, Nasrullah’s conversion put him too at risk of death. This caught up with him in August 1908 when he was killed by his own nephew because he would not deny Christ, his Saviour.
We thank you O God for the example of the saints. Help us to follow in their footsteps with courage and with hope, so that your work on earth may be faithfully continued and your holy name be praised until the end of the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.