Carrying the Weight of Sacrifice
June 5, 2025
Hajj 2025 (or Hajj 1446 AH in Islamic year) is when over a million Muslims will descend on Mecca for pilgrimage from June 4 through June 9. Some may arrive earlier or stay longer, but they must be there during these specific dates. If they come any other time of the year, it is still beneficial, but it doesn’t count toward fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam: Pilgrimage, Fasting, Giving Alms, Daily Prayers, and saying the Creed. The Hajj is to be performed by every able-bodied Muslim at least once in their lifetime.
This official Hajj is a series of journeys and events performed in specific places near Mecca. It was done in ways prescribed by Mohammed during a set number of days. The Hajj concludes with a three-day celebration observed not only by pilgrims in Mecca but also by Muslims worldwide.
The day before the celebrations begin—likely June 7 this year—is a day of preparation called the Day of Arafah. It is a special time of reflection and prayer. It is a day of remembering one’s shortcomings and sins and asking for forgiveness. Many Muslims believe that if they fast and pray on this day, the sins of the previous year and the sins of the coming year will be forgiven.
Those on the actual Hajj are not expected to fast because they have so much to do during the pilgrimage. Muslims elsewhere are expected to fast, pray, and listen for the voice of God.
Repeated Sacrifice
The next day marks Eid-al-Adha, or as the Afghans call it, Eid e Qurban—the “Feast of the Sacrifice.” This commemorates the time Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, but at the last moment, God provided a ram.
Muslims who are wealthy will sacrifice more than one animal, while those who are not will perhaps share an animal with neighbors. In all cases, the meat will be shared with the family and the poor. It is the larger of the two annual Eids, and it is a time of visiting loved ones and giving gifts to family members and friends.
Interestingly, this time of sacrifice is practiced year after year. This is very much like the Jews who are still living under the Old Covenant. As Hebrews 9:22 (ESV) says, “Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Tragically, Muslims don’t know about Hebrews 10. In the beginning verses, it says, “For since the law was but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” Hebrews 10:4 adds, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
The Ultimate Sacrifice
As you engage in conversations with your Muslim friends this month, ask them about this big Eid, the Eid of Sacrifice—what it means and why they repeat it yearly. Gently introduce them to Hebrews 10:26b–28, “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly awaiting him.”
Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet and that he is coming back. You don’t have to convince them of these things. What they don’t understand is that Jesus died and rose again to give them life.
We know that God loves us with an everlasting love, but Muslims do not know this amazing truth. This is why they struggle year after year, bearing their sin and shame, unable to be free of the weight and pain. Pray that your Muslim friends and neighbors would have ears to hear of the good news—that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice, died, and rose again, that they may have eternal life.
Hajj 2025 (or Hajj 1446 AH in Islamic year) is when over a million Muslims will descend on Mecca for pilgrimage from June 4 through June 9. Some may arrive earlier or stay longer, but they must be there during these specific dates. If they come any other time of the year, it is still beneficial, but it doesn’t count toward fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam: Pilgrimage, Fasting, Giving Alms, Daily Prayers, and saying the Creed. The Hajj is to be performed by every able-bodied Muslim at least once in their lifetime.
This official Hajj is a series of journeys and events performed in specific places near Mecca. It was done in ways prescribed by Mohammed during a set number of days. The Hajj concludes with a three-day celebration observed not only by pilgrims in Mecca but also by Muslims worldwide.
The day before the celebrations begin—likely June 7 this year—is a day of preparation called the Day of Arafah. It is a special time of reflection and prayer. It is a day of remembering one’s shortcomings and sins and asking for forgiveness. Many Muslims believe that if they fast and pray on this day, the sins of the previous year and the sins of the coming year will be forgiven.
Those on the actual Hajj are not expected to fast because they have so much to do during the pilgrimage. Muslims elsewhere are expected to fast, pray, and listen for the voice of God.
Repeated Sacrifice
The next day marks Eid-al-Adha, or as the Afghans call it, Eid e Qurban—the “Feast of the Sacrifice.” This commemorates the time Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, but at the last moment, God provided a ram.
Muslims who are wealthy will sacrifice more than one animal, while those who are not will perhaps share an animal with neighbors. In all cases, the meat will be shared with the family and the poor. It is the larger of the two annual Eids, and it is a time of visiting loved ones and giving gifts to family members and friends.
Interestingly, this time of sacrifice is practiced year after year. This is very much like the Jews who are still living under the Old Covenant. As Hebrews 9:22 (ESV) says, “Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Tragically, Muslims don’t know about Hebrews 10. In the beginning verses, it says, “For since the law was but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” Hebrews 10:4 adds, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
The Ultimate Sacrifice
As you engage in conversations with your Muslim friends this month, ask them about this big Eid, the Eid of Sacrifice—what it means and why they repeat it yearly. Gently introduce them to Hebrews 10:26b–28, “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly awaiting him.”
Muslims believe Jesus was a great prophet and that he is coming back. You don’t have to convince them of these things. What they don’t understand is that Jesus died and rose again to give them life.
We know that God loves us with an everlasting love, but Muslims do not know this amazing truth. This is why they struggle year after year, bearing their sin and shame, unable to be free of the weight and pain. Pray that your Muslim friends and neighbors would have ears to hear of the good news—that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice, died, and rose again, that they may have eternal life.
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Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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