This story comes from a Chinese house church pastor who was arrested and held for three weeks. He says his experience was going with Christ to the Garden and to the Cross. Today he explains The Cross:
This is what amazed me the most. Whenever I was beaten up (and that was quite often during those three weeks), I would first feel searing pain, and then another feeling would flood in, almost wiping the pain away. It was pity. Pity for the man who was beating me.
I kept seeing my interrogator as a man gone wrong. I felt sorry for his mother, who would be so ashamed of him. I wondered what kind of father he must have had, to turn him into such a monster. I felt sad to be in the presence of one of God’s creatures that could treat another human so badly with so little concern.
Then I would get amazed at myself. Through the pain I would think, “I should be angry, but I’m not. All I want is for this man to be saved.” I had three ribs and a wrist broken, two teeth knocked out, my kidneys were malfunctioning, and yet all I could wish for was for the man beating me to find Christ and forgiveness.
It sounds very strange. It doesn’t even ring true. It’s more human to be angry, or to be afraid. But I can only say this was not myself making me feel that way, but Christ within me. It was superhuman. It was Divine. And to this day, it serves as the greatest assurance I have that I am saved.
Again, this is also the way of Christ. In Luke 23:34, He says from the Cross itself, in the midst of excruciating pain, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I tell you, it gives you such a thrill to know that you feel as Christ felt. That’s why suffering is counted such a joy, such a privilege. It confirms to the sufferers that they are Christ’s, and He lives in them. We don’t have to trust a word that this is so. We feel it in our very breastbones.
God, fill me with Your superhuman forgiveness so that I may walk today as Jesus did in forgiving those harming Him. Help me also feel pity and compassion for those who so easily treat others badly.
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
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It is amazing that the pastor had the kinds of thoughts he had for those who were beating him–while they were beating him. What he expressed as feeling is far from human emotions. This is clearly an example of Christ within him being manifested. In times of being tested, we should expect the Christ within us to rise to the occasion.
That is my prayer. We KNOW this is how Jesus felt when He said, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”
Christian and Jewish Persecution had been around for Thousands of years!
We NEED to PRAY for All our Devout Sisters and Brothers in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and our Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and our Devout Jewish Sisters and Brothers in ( HaShem-YHWH-YAHWEH-JEHOVAH ) Everyday!! “Pray Without Ceasing.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV )!!
May OUR ONE TRUE GOD the HEAVENLY FATHER who art in HEAVEN Above Bless All Everyone through HIS SON Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
Love Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
I absolutely agree! Thank you Kristi Ann!