Stone and bread

The original Korean text: https://blog.naver.com/stevision/50025421500

 

Immediately after Jesus had fasted for 40 days, Devil came to Jesus, saying "Let these stones turn into bread (so that you may fill your stomach)." Jesus refused his suggestion, saying, "Man should not live by bread alone, but by the words that come from the mouth of God."

 

According to JoongAng Ilbo last Saturday, a woman graduated from theological college and started a new church. However at first she had a difficult time running the church. And she got financial help from a nearby Won-Buddhist temple. After that she was ordained a pastor. She called herself a daughter of God and Buddha. She said she couldn't feel barriers between the two religions when she thought of the help from the Won-Buddhism given to her while she was in financial difficulty.

 

But this woman is greatly mistaken. She should not forget who she is even if other Christian churches didn't help her when she started the church, or even if she could survive thanks to the help of the Won-Buddhism then. A pastor is a disciple of Jesus. No matter how difficult her life may be, she must not forget that the very identity of a pastor is to live on the words of God.

 

You must not forget the pastor's duty on account of the other's kindness. Human help should end with human thanks. You could pay double back later if you could. But if you remove your wall (of Christianity), you're a pastor no longer. To think of this otherwise, you should tell of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life, to them if you feel much thanks for them when they have helped you with a good will. This is the basic attitude the preachers of the gospel should have. Moreover, you must never make mistake to acknowledge other religions in order not to undermine your human feelings, if you are a true pastor.

 

When Jesus told his disciples that he would suffer and die on the cross, Peter opposed Jesus, almost rebuking him from human emotions. But Jesus resolutely rejected his saying, calling him Satan.

 

Of course, this does not mean that the Won-Buddhists who helped the female pastor of the new church are demons. We know that they do not know God and his Son, Jesus, so they are captives to the Devil for a while and fall into a vain religion. Christians must stop at 'the human thanks' even if people of other religions show great favor. Instead, Christians should tell them the true truth. This is the attitude Christians should take.