Ultimatum
Theme of the Week: Raised with Christ
David Shenk
Thursday, April 24, 2003
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Key Bible Verse: "You killed the author of life, but God raised him to life. And we are witnesses of this fact!" (Acts 3:15). Bonus Reading:Acts 4:1-4, 13
During the 1980s Ethiopia suffered under a cruel, ruthless Marxist government. Even high school students who were judged counter-revolutionary were shot.
Fekru Zeleke, teaching at a university far from home, family, and friends, was arrested, beaten, and placed in prison. His crime: he was sharing the message of Christ with interested students. He was a member of a church that had been declared illegal by the government.
The chief police officer confronted Fekru, pistol in hand, and said in great anger, "You have no authority to speak of Jesus Christ to anyone. Your church is illegal."
Although a pistol was pointing at him, Fekru responded, "I do have authority to speak of Jesus Christ. Jesus has risen from the dead and has triumphed over all authorities. In His authority I shall continue to witness."
The angry officer exploded, "We can kill you for that."
"That's no problem to me," Fekru replied. "Jesus has triumphed over death."
Today that government in Ethiopia is no more. The officer who apprehended Fekru was imprisoned. Fekru visited him and expressed compassion to him in his distress.
—David Shenk in Surprises of the Christian Way
My Response: Has my "immunity" from death made me daring? Should it?
Thought to Apply: The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in.
—source unknown
Adapted fromSurprises in the Christian Way (Herald, 2000) by permission.
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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Lord God, I praise You for Your incredible power that raised Your Son from the dead—and will also raise me.
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