Once again, we have to be reminded of the ever increasing number of Christians who are being persecuted throughout the world. I give just three examples:
1. China
Alimjan Yimit, a Uyghur Christian, has lost his appeal at the Xinjiang Court. He has been held in detention in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China since January 2008, carrying a 15-year sentence for allegedly “divulging state secrets.” One of his lawyers remarked, “It is all about religion.” His wife Gulnur, their two sons and his mother are suffering greatly from this forced separation. Gulnur has been greatly moved by brothers and sisters who, after hearing of her husband’s arrest, have not stopped praying for them.
2. India
An Indian evangelist called Ravi Murmu was murdered on the night of 2 May, while returning home after showing the Jesus film in Laxmanpur, Bihar state. His body was found with deep cuts on the neck and elsewhere. None of his belongings had been taken. Pray for his widow, Rinku, and their eight-year-old daughter, Celesty, and all who knew and loved him. When asked how the family was coping with the murder, Ravi’s brother (also an evangelist) replied, “The peace of God still reigns in this house and in this family.”
3. Nigeria
On 15 April the bodies of Christian pastor Ishaya Kadah and his wife Selina were discovered two days after they were kidnapped in Boto village, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Police have arrested two suspects, and security has been stepped up in the city of Bauchi. Four days later, the mutilated bodies of two elderly Christian farmers were also found, in the village of Rim, south of Jos. Continue to uphold our Nigerian Christian brothers and sisters in prayer. Pray that they will display the Lord’s grace and reflect His love by forgiving their enemies.
JESUS OF THE SCARS
If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.
The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.
If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.
The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.
(Edward Shillito)
Edward Shillito was an English minister who survived the horrors of artillery, machine guns, and trench warfare during World War I, 1914-1918.
This poem needs to be read and re-read many times so that its profound message may enter into the very depths of our soul. This is especially true of the last verse which gives an amazing reason for the uniqueness of our God.
The poem is applicable for every Christian although for the majority of us in Malaysia (myself included), our wounds are very superficial compared with those who are undergoing such great suffering for the sake of Jesus of the Scars.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
