信心的功课

A few days ago, I was watching “The Passion of The Christ” directed by Mel Gibson and I thought he did a reasonably fair job in the visual illustration of Jesus’ suffering.

The point is I’ve always pictured Jesus as a firm and unwavering man. And so I was quite shocked to see in the movie at Gethsemane where Jesus was praying moments before he was captured by the Pharisees, He was sweating and trembling as he prayed face down on the floor. Even though He knew that His death is imminent, His eyes showed fear and uncertainty. His lips quivered and hands shook as he prayed with an unsteady voice.

Yet all these time His beloved disciples were asleep, ignorant of the impending brutality that lies ahead. They were shocked as well to see their teacher trembling with fear. Although certain parts of the movie are fictitious, it is not hard to imagine the sorrow that overwhelmed Jesus that night.

As I watched that scene, I wondered why Jesus was so terrified. Death could not have authority over Him. He is the Son of God. Later, (this should be made up as the bible has no record whatsoever) satan appeared and attempted to deceive Jesus by saying “how can the sin of the world be burdened onto one man?”

“It reflected the depth of Jesus' distress as he endured the pangs of separation from His Father. Later the apostles realised that Jesus was enduring the curse of God’s judgment on sin – the full, furious and dreadful wrath of Almighty God. This was all the more agonizing to Jesus, who had enjoyed the closest love relationship with the Father from all eternity.” Spirit of The Reformation Study Bible

Dear Lord, You were “led to death as a lamb” and “numbered among sinners”. You suffered the “just for the unjust”, and when You sensed the horrible punishment required by our sins, your sweat became like “big drops of blood falling on the ground.” You cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” You endured all these for the forgiveness for my sins.

Teach me to persevere in faithful service to You and pursue holiness, for although I am justified by faith alone, but through your earthly brother James, You said “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

***

等待，等待要有耐心，
直到下一个命令来临，
用心灵之耳聆听，
神乎召的声音。

等待，以乐观之心等待，
有了希望就不会沮丧，
主保证给我引路，
我只要依靠他的方向。

等待，以希望之心等待，
也许在此一刻，
主会突然开启了门闩，
他的迟延决无差谬。

等待，等待，继续等待！
主不会久久不来；
他知道我在等待，
等待他把门闩拔开。

- J. Danson Smith -

Father, I dare not question Your authority, but it is hard to have faith in the invisible. My family, my grandma, and my inability to love, what is Your purpose?