Reflection 1 on Back To Jerusalem
As I was reading the book Back To Jerusalem as part of my mission training, I could not help tearing my eyes. From what I heard and understood, many cruel and unreasonable persecutions for Christians were and still are strictly and mercilessly undertaken by the ruling party of China. This has also been proved to be real in the book. But what actually shocks me and put me to shame is that people who were tortured hardcore in the prison for years did not blame God at all and instead they sincerely thanked God for that time in the prison when they thought God and the Holy Spirit taught and disciplined them to persevere and obey. Considering claiming to be Christian in China is not “beneficial” and even faces with persecutions, their faith in Christ is then so pure and strong that many of them risked their lives to preach the Gospel and some of them literally shed their blood for the holy name of Jesus Christ. Just as Tertullian’s statement resonates,
“Go zealously on, good presidents, you will stand higher with the people if you sacrifice the Christians at their wish, kill us, torture us, condemn us, grind us to the dust; your injustice is the proof that we are innocent… Nor does your cruelty, however exquisite, avail you; it is rather a temptation to us. The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.”
Chinese Christians were truly living their lives to the fullest for the sake of the Gospel to be preached across the land. However, God does not just stop there and He then put a even bigger burden for the Chinese Churches He revealed to one of the Chinese leaders to bring the Gospel back to Jerusalem, “I not only want the Chinese Church to assume responsibility for taking the Gospel to Xinjiang but I want you to bring to completion the commission to preach the Gospel to all the world.” But the leader’s heart was hardened,“That section of territory is under the power of Islam and the Muslims are the hardest of all people to reach with the Gospel.” Then God rebuked, “Even you Chinese, yourself included, are hard enough but you have been conquered by the Gospel…..but I have kept for the Chinese Church a portion of inheritance, otherwise, when I return will you not be so poor?”
Then this movement called Back To Jerusalem started. God indeed pampered the Chinese people in His plan with all His blessings.
As ethnically being a Chinese, I question myself, am I living a life that honours God or am I gratifying the cravings of my sinful nature. Maybe even one day, God will call me to join this mission he has anointed to the Chinese; but will I be faithful enough to say Yes and follow? I doubt that. Oh Lord, I still have a long long way to go. Now here in Singapore, I guess I have to strive to be the difference maker and faithful servant among people in the eyes of You God. Also teach me daily how to love you with all my heart, mind, strength and soul and then love my neighbours as how you love me. Hopefully one day, when you call my name, I will then without doubt say "Yes, Lord.".