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The Great Sacrifice

By Steven Masood on
Sacrifice

In a few days, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid al-Adha, honoring Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Consider sharing with Muslim friends that Jesus is the ransom sacrifice.

To share biblically with Muslims that Jesus is the true ransom sacrifice, especially in the context of Eid al-Adha, it is important to build upon the shared narrative and then lead them to its fulfillment in Christ. Here’s a respectful and biblically grounded approach:

1. Start with Common Ground: Abraham’s Sacrifice

  • Muslim belief: Eid al-Adha commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Muslims generally believe that it was Ishmael, not Isaac, who was to be sacrificed. However, God intervened and provided a ram as a substitute. The Qur'an (Sura 37:107) states, “We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.”

  • Biblical account (Genesis 22:1-14): God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but stopped him before he could do so, providing a ram instead. Abraham named the location “Yahweh Yireh,” which means ‘The LORD will provide’ (Genesis 22:14).

Ask: Why did God provide a substitute? What lesson was He teaching us?

2. Point to the Pattern: God Provides a Substitute

The concept of a substitute sacrifice is a recurring theme throughout the Bible:

- In Exodus 12, the Passover lamb protected the Israelite homes from death.

- In Leviticus 16, animals took on the sins of the people during the Day of Atonement.

- Isaiah 53 describes the suffering servant who bears our sins, stating, “He was pierced for our transgressions” (v. 5).

All these examples highlight the ultimate substitute: Jesus.

3. Present Jesus as the Fulfillment

John the Baptist, known as Yahya in Islam, testified: “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29).

  • Jesus described his purpose by saying: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

  • The Scriptures also affirm this truth: “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Jesus is the perfect Lamb that God provided, offered once and for all as the true ransom for humanity.

4. Gently Ask and Invite Reflection

You might ask the following questions:

  • Do you believe that God accepted Abraham’s willingness and provided a ransom?
  • If God provided a ram, then who is the Lamb God provides for all nations now?

You can then explain: “Just as God provided a ram to take the place of Abraham’s son, God provided Jesus to take our place. Jesus is the ransom—the final sacrifice meant to save all who believe.” Additionally, you can mention how Abraham recognized Jesus as the sacrifice and was glad (John 8:56, 58).

5. Emphasize the Gift of God’s Mercy

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Salvation through Jesus is not earned—it is provided, just like the ram for Abraham.

Summary:

Shared Belief

Biblical Fulfillment

  • Abraham’s faith and willingness to obey

  • God calls us to faith and surrender.

  • God provided a substitute sacrifice.

  • God provided Jesus as the Lamb of God

  • Eid al-Adha remembers the ransom.

  • Jesus is the final ransom: the perfect, once-for-all Lamb.

  • God's mercy through sacrifice

  • God's mercy is fulfilled in Christ’s death and resurrection.

Further details on this topic can be found here in this leaflet available in PDF format: The Great Sacrifice.pdf

A lengthy video discussion on this topic is available at count 29 on this website here: https://jesustomuslims.org/outreach-workshop, and click on The Great Sacrifice video