Sunday, March 28, 2010

Questions to ponder

Today, I read the the Book of Luke (chapter 22 till the end). While I was re-enacting the events which took place before Jesus' crucifixion, I wondered how Barabbas, the rebel (John 18:40) and murderer (Luke 23:18-19), felt when he was released instead of Jesus. He was probably felt relieved when he escaped the death penalty.

Would he want to know about Jesus, who seem to be most undeserving of this most cruel punishment? Would he care less about Him who, in a way, died in his place?

罪人之中有我为首,是否还能蒙主赦宥?
How different are we from Barabbas?

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:39-42)

Do we fear God? Do we join the crowd to mock at Him or join the crowd to repent and weep for ourselves (Luke 23:28)? Are we in deep repentance?

Let's pray that we 'may not enter into temptation' (Luke 22:40b).
求使我诚心悔改
为我过犯满悲哀
过去悖逆今深悔
痛哭归主永离罪