The Passion of Christ

To everyone's shock and surprise, "The Passion" was released today here in
Qatar. Until now we have only been able to show the Jesus film in Arabic to
a handful of Qataris in the secret of a home setting. In the coming weeks,
potentially tens of thousands of Arab Muslims will see this powerful
portrayal of Christ's suffering and death. In two short hours, more Qataris
heard the Gospel than I have been able to reach in nearly five years of
living here.

The Arabic subtitles were completely accurate - they didn't water anything
down or change any language that Muslims would not agree with. All of us
watched the film in absolute amazement in what God had done. The Muslims
sitting around us were being moved - gasping, crying and reacting with
disgust to the brutality that Jesus faced.

Now - if you have heard anything about why the Arab Muslims would want to
see the film, you know that it is because they "heard" it was anti-Jewish
and since they hate the Jews, they want to see it. How interesting that God
is using this film to communicate the Gospel and the very opposite spirit
that might be motivating them to go and see it. The message to love your
enemies, and Jesus praying for them to be forgiven while on the Cross would
hit the Muslim theatre-goer in a powerful way.

Please pray for these urgent requests:

1. That this film will be allowed to be shown for a significant period of
time. It is being shown in three different theatres, up to four times a
day. Fundamentalists will surely be in an uproar about this unprecedented
event. Just when we thought Satellite television was going to be the most
significant way for the Lord to sow the seeds of the Gospel, this film
arrives in Muslim nations!
2. That this film will cause a major shaking and stirring in the hearts of
many Muslims, leading them to salvation.
3. That God will lead us to men and women who have been/will be impacted by
this powerful film.

The film is so popular here that they have been canceling the other films
to show "The Passion" in all the theatres at the cinema complex. I took a
friend on the second night. The film was running in all three theatres. I
would estimate that well over 50% of the people in the theatre were local
Muslims including women completely veiled. You could see how this film had
impacted everyone. on the second day, several of the local newspapers had
the advertisement for the film on the frontpage.

It appears that even Saudi Arabia is getting a chance to see the film,
albeit through pirated DVD's. There are no movie theatres in Saudi Arabia
anyway. God knows what He's doing. I was just reminded what the Apostle
Paul writes: "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,
but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love. The former preach
Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely. But what does it matter? The
important thing is that in every way (e.g. pirated DVDs) the true Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice"(Philippians 1:15-18)

The release was very timely. The killing of Palestinian Hamas leader Sheikh
Ahmad Yassin happened the morning after the film was released. The Arab
response has been a whole new wave of hatred for the Jews, which was
illustrated in a large public demonstration/march yesterday. At a time when
the urge for Muslims to hate has been renewed, the Lord has brought "The
Passion" telling them - "No, love your enemies! Forgive them!" The contrast
is staggering.

[Note from JOEL NEWS: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat watched "The Passion
of the Christ" at a private screening in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
and made a positive statement about it.]

Just today a couple of local women asked me, "Do you have the New Testament
in Arabic? Me and all my friends want to read it!" Another asked about
where to get the Arabic Bible on the internet. This has never happened! The
film is generating so much interest in Jesus and the Scriptures. Every
Christian we are talking to seems to have a story of two just like this
one. May it continue to increase.

There have been several articles in the paper, all positive and
surprisingly silent in terms of emphasizing the Islamic belief that Jesus
did not die on the cross. People are talking about wanting to go and see
it. Pray that many would watch this movie and that it would spark an
interest and hunger to know more of Jesus and the Bible. Pray that hearts
would be drawn by the love of Jesus. Pray that believers would make the
most of this opportunity to talk with their friends, to be available for
those who will be impacted by what they see.