~心靈的花園~

Friday, April 18, 2003

Pastor died of SARS after praying for a patient

收到這封電郵, 雖然是英文的, 但我覺得十分值得一看!!!

In Singapore recently, Pastor Simon Loh went to pray for a SARS patient,and he died of SARS after praying for a SARS patient . Do you know how it would be ?

"You Christians claim that God will protect you from all diseases but how come He did not protect the pastor who went to pray for a SARS patient?"

It was broadcast over the news that "Pastor died of SARS after praying for a SARS patient!" So, if a non-believer were to question you on the above, what will be you answer?

Frankly, I did not have a definite answer to it until he Holy Spirit dropped a verse into my heart which is John 15:12-13, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

And when I went to search out the scriptures, I then realized that the death of the pastor has created a great opportunity for us to evangelize. What do I mean by that? He was actually praying for the sick sister. And doing out of love. Following Jesus to lay hands on the sick and heal them in His matchless name. "Pastor" derives from the Greek term "poimeen" which means, "Shepherd". And in John 10:11-15...Jesus said He is the Good Shepherd and He went on to say that a good shepherd/pastor will lay down his life for the sheep. When the wolf (or SARS) comes to attack the sheep, the good shepherd/pastor will not abandon the sheep and run away, but he will lay down his life for the sheep. Thus, in laying down His life for His sheep, Christ has set the standard for pastoral ministry that goes beyond words to deeds. And the death of Pastor Loh is a picture of what Christ has done for us.

Christ died on the cross so that we can live. Likewise, Pastor Loh died but the SARS patient lives on. This is what Christian LOVE is all about. To me, I would see Pastor Loh as a true disciple of Christ who had obeyed the Lord to love others to the extent of laying down his life.

So now the whole of Singapore knows that a pastor had died after praying for a SARS patient and surely a lot of people will be questioning Why? Why? Why? Instead of scratching our heads and become fearful ourselves,let us take hold of this opportunity to point others to Christ and share with them what TRUE LOVE is all about.

From this SARS saga, I believe the enemy is also trying to create division among Christians: one group believes in walking by faith and another group believes we ought to exercise wisdom. Instead of fingers at one another, let us be reminded of John 13:34-35 which says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

May God bless you as you read...Jesus always loves you!
S A R S --> STAND AND REBUKE SATAN

剛好又收到這個URL: http://www.donghaeng.net/duty/duty.swf
我想這個牧師就正如flash中的主角一樣, 溫暖地重返主的懷抱!!
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今天是受難節. 願我們都更深刻地領略好牧人的奇妙的愛!!

by jojoju at 11:14 PM |