They're calling it "LinSanity" in New York, and it hit fever pitch tonight after Lin's game winning 3-pointer with less than a second to play in the Knicks win. He finished with 27 points and a career-high of 11 assists.

But despite the "LinSanity", he seems to have his head on straight. The Knicks overnight phenom Jeremy Lin quotes from a section of John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life in an online testimony recorded last June:

"God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display His supreme excellence in all the spheres of life."

Lin then adds the following commentary about his coming to treasure Jesus more than basketball success:

"When Paul wrote in Philippians to press on for an upward prize, he was living for that, and it made his life meaningful (Phil. 3:15). And I realized I had to learn to do the same. I had to learn to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth, I had to stop chasing personal glory, I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust Him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in His grace and to trust in His sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, 'Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I'm going to let you take care of the rest.' This is something I struggle with every day. . . Playing for great stats is nice, but that satisfaction — that happiness — is only from game to game. It's temporary."

It appears that all Biblical scholars opine that the Apostles and disciples of the first church expected an imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ and they lived and preached in light of this understanding. The natural question appears to be whether the Apostles had the wrong understanding or whether Jesus had a change of plan in terms of the timing of His return.

As we read the many parables in the latter part of Matthew, the repeated motif is not only the unexpectedness of the timing of Jesus' return, but the much longer wait than anticipated, and so the wicked servant considers his master being away "for a long time" (24:48); and the ten virgins all have fallen asleep as "the bridegroom was a long time in coming" (25:5). These parables point to the fact that the wait will certainly be unusually long. It is true that the early believers did fervently desire the soon return of their Lord, and some, because of the perceived delay, began to doubt. This is perhaps why Peter had to remind them that,

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9)

It is interesting to note that Peter did not say that Jesus was patient with the non-believers who would perish, but with us. That means if there is any delay, it is caused by us, who are too slow to accomplish the Great Commission entrusted to us.

I have to admit that the judgment of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 is a tough passage to understand in light of the apparent basis on which judgment is being pronounced by the Lord at His coming. If based simply on the immediate context and contents of the passage, we have to admit that

1. this is a judgment pronounced not only on the church of God, but on all nations; and thus the treatment of "the least of these brothers of mine" can be carried out by believers and non-believers alike;
2. the judgment or reward is pronounced clearly based on the word, "for" in v. 35 and v. 42, and it is based on works of caring for the "least" of His brothers or the lack of which; and
3. the judgment is clearly eternal fire for the wicked and the kingdom of heaven for the righteous.

However, we do need to interpret scripture with scripture and cannot develop an entirely new theology based on the narrow interpretation of one single verse or, in this case, one single passage.

Thus, if the entire teachings of Jesus are taken as a whole, together with the teachings of the Apostles (which have been learned from the Lord), it is unmistakably clear that

1. salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ, and not by works, (Eph. 2:8-9);
2. there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved; (Acts 4:12) and
3. Jesus clarifies what "work" means when it comes to eternal life and that is "to believe in the one He (the Father) has sent." (Jn. 6:29)

So, as much as Jesus points out the reward of those who do not neglect to care for the least of His brothers is to inherit the Kingdom, and calls them the righteous, He does not say that they are declared righteous because of their actions. Rather, given the overall teachings of the Bible, they have obtained righteousness through faith already, but their caring for the "least" invite great reward from the King.

The question that needs to be considered is then: Why would Jesus expound such a teaching in one of His last sermons, apparently without clarifying the important essence of believing in Him as He did in other places.

As Christians, we need to take Jesus' words seriously and examine ourselves that as we claim that we have truly believed in Him, how come we do not care about the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed with whom Jesus has clearly identified! As James, certainly follows Jesus' teaching in this respect, powerfully points out, "faith without work is dead." (Jas. 2:20)

While it is irresponsible for us to care for the body and not the soul, it is also hypocritical for us to care for the soul and not the body.

Of all the characters in the gospel, none more than Mary of Bethany is mentioned by Jesus with such honor, in that "wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matt. 26:13)

First, I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus clearly foretold that His gospel would be preached throughout the world. His death was no accident, but the plan of God, and it would not be in vain. This gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ would have worldwide impact and reach. It has become a reality right before our eyes. This is a mark of true religion.

But should the action of Mary also be mentioned in the same breath as the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ? This is unthinkable!

I think Mary's unusual action of pouring the alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on the head of Jesus was an act of faith, of love and of sacrifice. Her action certainly touched the core of the heart of our Lord.

In the final hours of Jesus' earthly journey, as much as He had repeatedly told His closest disciples of His death, He could only sense competition, fear and confusion from them. In other words, their concern was for themselves. No one appeared to care or understand the burden of His soul which would soon be "over whelmed with sorrow to the point of death". (Matt. 26:38) The only one who did and showed that she understood and cared was Mary. This is why Jesus said that her action was "to prepare me for burial". As the lyrics of one hymn puts it so beautifully, "Even now, the Lord seeks those who would understand His feeling."

Mary's action was also timely too. While Nicodemus and others loved Jesus enough to take the risk to obtain the body and anoint Him with ointment, their action and their ointment were far less precious and timely than that of Mary. I still remember the letter from a supporter of CCM who wrote to me saying that at her advanced age, she'd rather send her enclosed offering while she was living, than leave it to CCM in her estate. I often wonder whether her action was influenced by Mary's example.

As a new believer, I often wondered why Judas was not saved, since he showed his remorse to the point of suicide. But as I grew in the Lord, I have come to understand that remorse is not exactly repentance.

In fact, Jesus offered him many chances of not committing this horrible sin or of repenting from it.

Even at the Last Supper, Jesus purposely made known to him that He knew what he was about to do. "Yes, it is you" should be enough to shock him out of his sin. He should know that Jesus knows everything. But he did not stop in his tracks.

Then, after Jesus was wrongly condemned by the Sanhedrin, he was so seized with remorse that he went to return the money to the chief priests. But this was only remorse, and not repentance. He could have come before Jesus and confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness.

Since, he had the "courage" to take his own life, he could have suffered with Jesus and come to His defense.

In my Christian life, I have had the privilege of walking alongside some serious backsliders, who had committed or were about to commit sins of presumably irrecoverable consequences. They all showed deep remorse, but just the same, most were bent on sinning as if they had no choice. It is reassuring to know that Jesus even gave Judas a way out, he just did not take it.

As we reflect on the Lord's Supper today, I invite you to reflect on one of the most helpful hymns in this respect.

"Beneath the Cross of Jesus" was written by Miss Clephane in 1868, one year before her early death at the age of thirty-nine. She wrote eight hymns, all published posthumously. Besides this hymn, only one other has endured — "The Ninety and Nine."

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
   I fain would take my stand
   The shadow of a mighty Rock
   Within a weary land;
   A home within the wilderness,
   A rest upon the way,
   From the burning of the noontide heat,
   And the burden of the day.
2. Upon that cross of Jesus
   Mine eye at times can see
   The very dying form of One
   Who suffered there for me;
   And from my smitten heart with tears
   Two wonders I confess
   The wonders of redeeming love
   And my unworthiness.
3. I take, O cross, thy shadow
   For my abiding place;
   I ask no other sunshine than
   The sunshine of His face;
   Content to let the world go by,
   To know no gain nor loss,
   My sinful self my only shame,
   My glory all the cross.

By Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830–1869

One of the most powerful sermons I have heard on prayer was by someone who shared one of the last stories of Henry Nouwen. We were told that before he passed way in 1996, he was traveling with a circus. He greatly admired the two brothers who were doing some amazing swinging trapeze performance. So, to one of the brothers, he expressed great admiration of his performance. To this, the brother replied that as much as he received a lot of applause by swinging from one side to another and that he looked like the hero, the true hero was in fact his brother. All he did was to swing and then stretched out his hands and let his brother grab a hold of them. That's all he needed to do — stretching out his hands and trusting his brother to grab a hold of him. And if he tried to do more, like trying to grab his brother's hands instead, he would be in trouble! Nouwen saw this as the perfect picture of prayer.

Through prayers, we are actually letting go of all things, one by one, that our hands try to grab a hold of: our worries, our agenda, what we think needs to happen, and even the timing that we think things ought to happen. And as we are able, through prayers, to let go of all things that we hold dear, then all we need to do, is to stretch out our empty hands and let God grab a hold of us!

While the two trapeze brothers would have definitely made mistakes in their performance, our God will never!

True, hindsight is always 20/20. But I cannot help but think what if the disciples were able to stay awake, pray and watch with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The reason why Jesus could stay awake to watch and pray, while the disciples could not, has nothing to do with fatigue. In fact, Jesus had to be even more tired than they were, exhausted to the point of death. The difference did not have anything to do with His divinity either. The difference lies in the fact that Jesus knew and sensed the gravity of the hour, and that the salvation of the entire humankind hung in the balance and depended

on whether He would go through with offering Himself in utter obedience to the Father. Had the disciples not only believed in the words of their Master, but also shared His feeling, they would have watched and prayed with Him.

And if they had, Jesus would still have to experience His torture, mockery and eventual death on the cross, meaning the work of salvation would still be accomplished. The difference would be that the disciples would not have fled and disappeared, but would have followed Jesus all the way to the cross. Of course, in God's omniscience, they were spared so that they could be the witnesses of His death and resurrection. They, all eleven of them, eventually faced their own death, and some through the cross.

Like the disciples, no one knows what tomorrow may bring, but if we are able to watch and pray often, we will not be panicking in the face of crisis or test, like the disciples.

This is an email I received this week from a friend of mine, a retired pastor, David Miller, that I would like to share with you.

This prayer chain is calling ALL Christians into action NOW on behalf of this Iranian pastor, who faces execution!

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani never practiced the Muslim faith and converted to Christianity at age 19, becoming a pastor later. But the courts say that since his mother and father were practicing Muslims, he must recant his Christian faith or die. So far, in three court appearances, he has refused to do so – RISKING EXECUTION AT ANY MOMENT. The Iranian Supreme Court often acts quickly in administering the death penalty.

According to a report, when asked by judges to "repent," Youcef replied: "Repent, What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?"

The judges replied: "To the religion of your ancestors – Islam." To which Yousef replied: "I cannot."

It's time for the body of Christ to act, to pray, to plead for the life of our brother before Christ so that His servant may be spared.

This is what you are asked/called to do. As soon as you receive this email, PRAY IMMEDIATELY. Forward to your church so that its members may all pray too. Then forward this PRAYER REQUEST to every CHRISTIAN you know so that they may pray also. The Bible states, "If God is with us, who can stand against us."

March 17, 2012

Wang Ming Dao was one of the most influential Christian leaders in the short history of the Chinese Church. His firm adherence to the teachings of the Bible had earned him attacks and sufferings throughout his ministry, whether during the Japanese occupation, or subsequent years in China.

At the peak of his suffering, he did sign a confession renouncing his faith, perhaps for the sake of rescuing his wife who was very ill in prison, or perhaps, as another source alleges, because of fear for his own execution in 1956.

But subsequent to his release he was almost in a complete breakdown, comparing himself to Peter, who had denied his Lord, and to Judas, who had betrayed his Master. It was during this time of desperation that he recalled a passage from Micah 7:7-9 which had helped him in his younger years:

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness."

Indeed, like Peter, when he "turned back," he had been able to strengthen his brothers, (Lk. 22:32) and had become a great encouragement beyond the suffering church in China.

When visited by Billy Graham in 1988, Dao encouraged him with the words of Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful, even to the point of death."

I was talking to someone who is contemplating entering into full-time gospel ministry, and he shared with me that he was told to consult as many people as possible.

I understand that the need to have the confirmation by the faith community if we are truly called of God. But ultimately, the most important deciding factor is not someone else's opinion, even if it is Billy Graham's, but God's own confirmation in our heart.

In fact, the more we try to seek others' opinions, the more restless and peaceless we will become. It goes again to Isaiah's powerful reminder to King Hezekiah that,

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says, 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…'" (Isa. 30:15)

God does not play games. He is in the business of recruiting workers for His harvest (Matt. 9:38), perhaps, desperately. If He has called a person to enter into full-time gospel ministry, would He not be more eager than ourselves to make sure that we would unmistakably understand His call? Why would He play hide-and-seek with us? When we are unclear of His will, often it is because of our own preferences, self-will, self-centered motives or agenda that cover the sun like clouds. When we spend much time, using prayer and scriptural meditation as a process of submission to repent of all things that are self-centered, we will be able to see the sun as it is.

On the face of it, the religious leaders were determined to have Jesus killed, because they thought that by claiming Himself as the Son of God, Jesus had committed blasphemy. Therefore, in their opinion, even though they were under Roman Law, the Law of Moses trumped human law anytime, especially when it came to the blasphemy of God. This, as we know, is exactly the mentality of extreme Muslims when they consider that their prophet Mohammed is being blasphemed. They have no problem in taking their Sharia Law into their own hands.

However, the Bible repeatedly points out that those who persecuted Jesus and His followers did so out of envy (Matt. 27:18; Acts 5:17; 13:45)

Indeed, they might have begun their attack on Jesus and His followers based on their zeal for the Law and perhaps, even for God. But when confronted with undisputed miraculous healings and signs, the impeccable life and the powerful preaching of Christ, if their hearts were in the right place, they had to take a second look at their own position. And when the temple's curtain was torn, coupled with earthquake and resurrection of some of the dead, they had to wonder if they had acted correctly, not to mention having received first-hand report from the guards about seeing an angel roll away the stone from the tomb of Jesus. Yet, they continued to be bent on their erring way. Why? They allowed their jealousy to take over not only their reasoning, but their conscience. The power of jealousy is indeed powerfully destructive. And I have seen it play over and over again in church politics.

Whether it is about the appointment of a new pastor, the renovation or relocation of the church, or amendments to the church constitution or bylaws, what begins as sensible disagreements often degenerates into irrational attacks, sadly often disguised in spiritual language or even in Biblical quotations. In many church fights that I have witnessed or have been asked to intervene, jealousy and "face" often are the underlying real problems. If we are guilty of such, may God be gracious and allow us to humble ourselves before we become the true blasphemers, and if we are at the receiving end of the destructive power of jealousy, may we follow Christ's example of gentleness. Even though He could have asked the Father to send 12 legions of angels to deliver Him, He would rather remain silent and await vindication according to the Father's way and the Father's timetable.

There was no more terrible death than death by crucifixion. Even the Romans themselves regarded it with a shudder of horror. Cicero declared that it was "the most cruel and horrifying death. Tacitus said that it was a despicable death. It was originally a Persian method of execution. It may have been used because, to the Persians, the earth was sacred, and they wished to avoid defiling it with the body of an evil-doer. So they nailed him to a cross and left him to die there, looking to the vultures and the carrion crows to complete the work. The Carthaginians took over crucifixion from the Persians; and the Romans learned it from the Carthaginians.

Crucifixion was never used as a method of execution in the homeland, but only in the provinces, and there only in the case of slaves. It was unthinkable that a Roman citizen should die such a death. Cicero says: "It is a crime for a Roman citizen to be bound; it is a worse crime for him to be beaten; it is well nigh parricide for him to be killed; what am I to say if he be killed on a cross? A nefarious action such as that is incapable of description by any word, for there is none fit to describe it." It was that death, the most dreaded in the ancient world, the death of slaves and criminals that Jesus died.

The routine of crucifixion was always the same. When the case had been heard and the criminal condemned, the judge uttered the fateful sentence: "Ibis ad crucem," "You will go to the cross." The verdict was carried out there and then. The condemned man was placed in the centre of a quaternion, a company of four Roman soldiers. His own cross was placed upon his shoulders. Scourging always preceded crucifixion and it is to be remembered how terrible scourging was. Often the criminal had to be lashed and goaded along the road, to keep him on his feet, as he staggered to the place of crucifixion. Before him walked an officer with a placard on which was written the crime for which he was to die and he was led through as many streets as possible on the way to execution. There was a double reason for that. There was the grim reason that as many as possible should see and take warning from his fate. But there was a merciful reason. The placard was carried before the condemned man and the long route was chosen, so that if anyone could still bear witness in his favor, he might come forward and do so. In such a case, the procession was halted and the case retried.

William Barclay

As we have been reflecting on the suffering of our Lord, I invite you today to reflect richly on the lyrics of this marvelous hymn by Charles Wesley:

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain —
For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God,shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God,shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all:th'Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.

'Tismercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tismercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above
So free, so infinite His grace —
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:

'Tismercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
'Tismercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray —
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.

I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley 1707-1788

In reading some of the more reliable historical materials on the Roman soldiers who happened to be stationed in the Jerusalem vicinity, I have come to understand that these soldiers were of German descent.

I am just curious about the world-wide impact of the crucifixion, even in Jesus' time. It would have been viewed as an entirely Jewish internal affair, religious squabbles that highlighted the fanaticism of the prevailing leaders of Judaism (no different from what we have seen in today's Islamic world). This much is what would have been noted by the Roman world, if not for the presence and the conversion of these Roman soldiers, presumably not of the centurion alone, according to Matthew.

One does not need to read up on what traditions might have to say (or speculate) on these Germans. Since they had become believers, and when they were relocated back home or to other colonies of the Roman Empire, they would lend credence to the gospel which eventually spread to the whole empire. After all, they were first-hand witnesses.

Hard-core, ruthless bullies could even be used by the Lord. But isn't this always the way of the Lord? Some years later, a ruthless Saul with blood-stained hands would become the most important apostle who was responsible for bringing the gospel all the way to citadels of the Roman Empire.

Perhaps, it is helpful to set out the order of events on Easter morning, combining the accounts of the four Gospels:

• In the early morning, the women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body. (Mk. 16:2-3, Lk. 24:1)
• The three women were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James) and Salome, followed by other women. (Mk. 16:1 and Lk. 24:10)
• The three women found the stone had been removed by an angel (Matt. 28:2).
• Mary Magdalene hurried to tell Peter and John, who ran toward the tomb. (Jn. 20:2-4)
• Then, Mary (the mother of James), Salome and then the other women arrived at the tomb, entered it and saw angels who assured them Jesus had risen. They ran in joy and fear back to inform the disciples (Matt. 28:8)
• Peter and John arrived and saw the empty tomb without understanding and left (Jn. 20:4-10)
• Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb (outrun by Peter and John) and stood there weeping, and Jesus revealed Himself to her (Jn. 20:11-18).
• As the other women returned to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them (Matt. 28:9-10).

It is quite obvious that while the disciples had to continue to fret and wonder for a bit more time, all the women saw Jesus that resurrection morning. I believe the Lord delights in rewarding the simple of faith, and especially those who love Him.

It is most puzzling to read that after His resurrection and showing Himself to the disciples, there still could be doubters among them. These facts, at least, are beyond doubt:

• That Jesus had died
• That Jesus had come back to life, just as He said
• And this life is no more a physical life, but one of the Spirit.

In order words, Jesus has proved who He claims He is ― the Son of God and the Messiah.

As some of the disciples still had doubts, Jesus gave them the Great Commission, beginning with the words that "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me", ending with "And surely as I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

With these reassuring words, it appears that those who doubted worried about

1. How they could carry on Jesus' mission by themselves: They understood that Jesus would not be physically present with them as before. They could no longer present Jesus to the people and have Him solve all their problems and face all their challenges as before. They doubt if they would carry on the work of Jesus; and
2. How they might be able to follow Him from then on: Following Jesus was tough before, but at least it meant wherever He went, they went; wherever He slept, they slept; whenever He stopped they stopped, and whenever He moved, they moved. But now, Jesus would disappear from them and be taken up to heaven, how then could they follow Him?

These were basically very practical questions and I will not blame their doubts for a moment. Even for those who did not doubt at the time, it would take quite some time, as they obeyed and returned to Jerusalem, to find out and experience the truth that all authority in heaven and on earth has indeed been given to the Lord. The invoking of His name in driving out demons and baptizing people with the Holy Spirit were powerful experiences that would permit them to come to greater confidence in Christ. And the continuous communion with the Lord through prayers and waiting, especially in times of suffering, would further enable them to experience the reality of Christ's ever presence in their lives.