Jesus the Gospel and everything else

On Wednesday we had a Student from America come to visit us at the Oasis.
She was travelling around the world visiting charities and aid organisations, to write a paper about the work that people are doing in their communities to help the disadvantaged in there midst.
Somehow she got in contact with one of our volunteers and came down to visit us, to see what we do.

Ugandan Journalist protesting sanctions for speaking out against the Government

Having Atheist family members, and having conversations with atheist Austrians about my work here in Austria, I was wondering how this visit would go, because Wednesday night is out most openly 'Christian' night.  In half an hour I was going to tell a room full of Muslim people that they need to accept that Jesus was Crucified for their sins, or they will die and be forever separated from God.
I was about the tell these Refugee's that their religion was wrong. That there life time of sacrifices that they had been making for allah. Was doing them no good at all. That by only coming to Christ could they ever be put right with God and be accepted into Heaven.

Ahhh, trying to convert people to your religion! Is one of the main accusations that the Non-Christian puts on the Missionary.  My verse for the night was Matthew 23. When Jesus takes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, for not leading the people put under there instruction well.
Jesus is taking on the Pharisees, for them putting extra burdens on the people. For seeking fame from people, for blocking the path of the people coming to God. Although the main point of my talk was that we need to be cleansed in our hearts, not just look attractive on the outside like a cup or a dish (v26) .  But this passage is also an example of Jesus' being an advocate for the people, he was taking on the politicians and leader for not doing a good enough Job in helping  the people in their lives.
They were adding pain and stress to the peoples lives, not taking it away. They were bringing more burdens, not giving the people freedom.

I told the student that we help Refugees because of the love of God that we have in our hearts.
Not because we are overly nice people. She questioned me on that. But I think it is true. The love that Jesus showed us on earth. The way that he comforted the crying, he healed the sick. He bought people back to God and in all he died on the Cross for our sins, so we could be reconciled to God.

What greater calling do we have to help the Refugees in Austria - to give aid to the poor - to help the sick. To fight for Justice for those who have been taken advantage of. Because God has showed us that is what he is into.

'Is not this the kind of fasting I have Chosen, to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood' Isaiah 58:6-7