Hosted by Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International (STEMI) and various Canadian Chinese-Christian organizations, “Who is Jesus?” Gospel Rally kicked off on the night of March 12. Thousands of people packed the Broadway Church in Vancouver, leaving no empty seats.
World-renown Chinese-Indonesian evangelist Stephen Tong preached in vivid descriptions of the life of Jesus and the cross that Jesus carried and testified that Jesus is the manifestation of the truth and the representative that God sent to the earth in order to give us salvation.
Who do you say I am?
At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples “Who do you say I am”, said Tong, the worst thing was that it wasn’t the gentiles who didn’t know who Jesus was, but it is the Christians who don’t who Jesus is. Christians say that if you believe in Jesus, then you will have peace. Then what kind of peace is it? We must seriously think about this.
Tong said, “I’ve been a Christian ever since I was little. Since I was two year old till 57 year old, I would offer services to God twice a week. At 16, I could sing the world’s most difficult hymn, and at age 17, I began to preach and I felt that I know more about Christianity than others. However, as I think more deeply, I found out that it is not that easy. I found out that I really didn’t know Christ and that there isn’t anybody in this world that is like Jesus.”
Jesus lived a short life compared to many scholars and philosophers. Confucius died at 72, Laozi died in his 80s, and Siddhattha Gotama lived until 62 year old; they used their life-span to preach their doctrines. However, Jesus began his public ministry at 30 year old and was killed when he was 33 year old. Within the three year period, he did not establish any Christian schools, did not write even one Christian literature, and did not even compose one hymn.
When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t have any money, possessions nor did he receive any testimonies, which made everything seemed like a failure. Within one night, he experienced six judgments and was finally sentenced to death. Although it was against the law to kill, the Jews killed Jesus through the hands of the Romans official Pilate. There was no one in history who was crucified on the cross like Jesus.
When you are on the cross, then it means that you will die, because no one has ever resurrected after being crucified. One will definitely die, but won’t die immediately, because the nails pierced through his flesh and the blood will slowly drip out….over ten kg of blood will flow out….the blood pressure will rise, with painful groans, rain falls….there is no way but to wait to die.
Revealing the Mystery of Who is Jesus
The life of Jesus seemed like a failure, but can you imagine how this world will be if Jesus didn’t come to this world? Who is Jesus?
Tong said that there isn’t any standard in this world, men’s hearts are corrupted. Some “philanthropists” are only selfish individuals, many religious leaders are liars, many Christians are false, even though they know the law but they still commit sin. Everyone in this world sinned and is under the sin, but when Jesus was on the cross he said, “Father, forgive them, for they not of what they are doing.” There wasn’t anybody in this world that prayed for his enemies, but Jesus died, bleed, and redeemed the sins of mankind.
Jesus reconnected the relationship between mankind and God. His essence is totally different from men, because he is the son of God. There is no one like him in this world; God was merciful, gave him to man in order to save mankind. The Bible tells us that between man and God only Jesus, who came to this world, is the source of our salvation. In this world, there is no other name and that if we rely on Him we will be saved.
In his sermon, Tong said, “If God did not inspire me, then I would not come to Vancouver no matter how much money you give me. Spreading the gospel is not for politics, economy, but it is for Christ and being responsible towards the souls.” That night, through the power of the Holy Spirit, many people raised their hands to commit their lives to the Lord at the end of the gospel rally.
