Evangéliumi Hírnök, 2001 (93. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2001-04-01 / 4. szám

8. oldal I CAN’T IMAGINE by Evelyn Taylor I CAN’T IMAGINE the cruelty in­volved in a crucifixion! I can’t imagine driving spikes into a person’s wrists and feet, nailing him to a cross, hearing him cry out in pain, watching him die a slow death. That is beyond my imagination. I CAN IMAGINE pious Jewish lead­ers being disturbed by a young rabbi’s radical message of love and compas­sion, which was at variance with their rigid laws. Sometimes 1 too find it difficult to love those whose viewpoint differs from mine. I usually think I am right! I CAN IMAGINE the disciples being disillusioned that God would allow their gentle Jesus, who healed and helped people, to suffer the humiliation of a criminal’s death. I can imagine hiding, maybe even de­nying I knew Jesus for fear I might be the next one to be crucified. I too have known fear! I CAN IMAGINE the faithfulness and courage, as well as the over-whelm­ing sorrow and anguish, of Jesus’ mother keeping vigil at the foot of the cross as she and the other women wept as they watched Jesus die. I too have been a mother! I CAN IMAGINE Jesus crying out, “My God why have you forsaken me?” and “Into your hands I commend my Spirit.” But I can’t imagine Jesus asking for forgiveness for those who were crucify­ing him, or telling the penitent thief he would be with him in Paradise. Even in the midst of his suffering, he was thinking of others - he asked John to take care for his mother. I think I would have been thinking only of my own pain! Unless I understand who Jesus is, I CAN’T IMAGINE how his death makes possible atonement for the sins of the whole world. But my Christian heritage has taught me: the Cross is a symbol of Christ’s love, that He suffered in my place, tak­ing upon Himself the penalty for my sins! For that I am profoundly grateful! Because of what He did for me, I want to praise Him, to live for Him, and do what 1 can to relieve the pain and suf­fering of others. II Student suspended after sharing gospel An 18-year-old Michigan high school student has been suspended from school for an impromptu lunchtime speech to classmates about Jesus. Pat DeRoch, a senior at Dundee High School, wanted to boost attendance at the weekly Bible study held at the school. So during lunch one day several weeks ago, he took the stage in the school’s cafeteria, invited fellow class­mates to the Bible study, and spoke about the power of God’s love. Ten minutes into the speech, how­ever, the principal showed up and told DeRoch to get off the stage and go to the school office. Once there, school admin­istrators told DeRoch he had violated school policy and would be suspended for a day and a half. School records state he was suspended not because of the topic of his speech, but because he spoke without first getting permission from administrators. What surprised his mother most, however, was what the principal told her later. Lori DeRoch said, “What really transpired from there was pretty offen­sive to us, because we had gotten a call from the principal, and he had wanted my son to get a psychiatric evaluation before he could come back to school. They just suspended him for talking without getting permission.” Mrs. DeRoch also said she was disap­pointed in the severity of her son’s pun­ishment, since he received zeros in his classes for the days he missed. She said students who have had more serious run-ins with school officials do not pay as high a price. Nevertheless, Mrs. DeRoch said her son has no regrets. “Being a Christian, you know sometimes things don’t go your way. Pat did what he thought was right. He got suspended for it, and that’s fine. If he has to serve a suspension for doing what’s right, then that’s okay,” she said. Since Pat’s story was featured in sev­eral newspapers in Michigan and Ohio, he said he feels the Lord has used his speech and suspension to encourage other teenagers to take a stand for Christ. “A lot of churches in the area... have been calling because they’ve heard about the story, and they’ve said they want me to come to their different youth groups,” he said. “They want me to start encouraging their youth. Of course, ev­eryone at school knows about it... it’s a big thing now, and that’s just like open­ing more doors [to share the gospel].” DeRoch, who believes the Lord is calling him into the ministry, said he was not trying to be a rebel when he de­livered the lunchroom speech. He said he was just trying to be obedient to God. AgapePress, 2/6/01 ______________________________April 2001 Prayer at school Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule. For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd. If Scripture now the class recites It violates the Bill of Rights. Anytime my head I bow Becomes a federal matter now. The law is specific; the law is precise. Praying out loud is no longer nice. Praying aloud in a public hall Upsets those who believe in nothing at all. In silence alone we can meditate And if God should get the credit-great! They are bringing their guns; I don't dare bring my Bible, To do so, might make me liable. So, now Oh Lord, this plea I make; Should I be shot in school, My soul please take. Written by a 12 year old girl who attends a Public School in Boston, Massach usetts

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