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Founder's Note
Disciples in the midst of fear April 2020 Newsletter By: Rev. Paul Jinyoung Kim SWM International/U.S. Representative pkyoyo@gmail.com John 20:19-22: “On the evening of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”. After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Someone wrote: “I am yearning to meet people while I am afraid to make contacts with them.” This phrase expresses succinctly our common sentiment facing the dreadful situation caused by corona virus. People everywhere have been stricken with fear and anxiety by this deadly disease, which is so highly contagious that voluntary or enforced ‘social distance’ has been put into practice in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. Thrown into such a helpless situation, we are forced to live detached from humanly relation no matter how we may wish to sustain it. The whole world having been shaken up by the shockwaves of ‘COVI’ plague, it became a grave, unprecedented health issue for the entire human race. As a result, our families and societies are gripped with fear and anxiety of stark uncertainty about the future. Today’s scripture describes also the fear and anxiety felt by Christ’s closest followers. Jews in collaboration with the Roman soldiers brutally hung on the cross a thirtyish young man from Nazareth who proclaimed himself Messiah for his crime of committing blasphemy on Jehovah God. Judas Iscariot, one of 12 disciples who had been following Jesus so faithfully for 3 years, killed himself hanging on a tree after he had betrayed his master. What happened to Peter, who was called a ‘rock’ by Christ himself? Didn’t he curse Master Jesus denying him three times? Other disciples fled shamefully, all scared. Witnessing the crucifixion, a crushing defeat of their master, the disciples, gripped with fear and anxiety, huddled up together, locking themselves up in the attic, because they were fearful of persecution by angry Jewish mob. Then suddenly Christ the Lord appeared among them and told them three things. First, Peace be with you. Only the Father God can give us a real peace. You may have a peaceful feeling when you appreciate a painting of a pair of swan in a quiet lake with the backdrop of a beautiful mountain. Imagine, all of a sudden, a violent stormy wind blows over the lake turning it into a pandemonium to chase away the swan pair. Looking at eaglets peacefully tucked in under the wings of a mother eagle during the stormy weather, we are assured of the truth that genuine peace is not attained under a certain circumstance, but by our faith in God the Father whom we trust and depend on. No matter the circumstances, we can secure peace with our wholehearted trust in the God. Now, throughout the current co-vi calamities, we’ve come to realize that the wordily organization, system, economy and society could face a total collapse at the spur of the moment. How foolish and futile it has been to depend on the worldly system to secure our safety and security! Please remember, my friends: only God can provide a real peace. This truth was emphasized by Christ Himself in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Secondly, Jesus said, “I am sending you”. We are His disciples charged with a special mission. Having become His disciples, all Christians are given missions to perform. God saved us from the curse of sin and death under the condition that we ought to live this world righteously so that we may fulfill the God-given mission for the realization of the Kingdom of Heaven on this earth rather than to pursue worldly values. Thus, for the sake of God’s righteousness, it should be our sacred mission to dedicate all things God allowed us to have - time, material, gift, talent, life – toward all nations and races. Don’t ever forget: we believers are all sent by Christ the Lord for such specific mission. Despite the horrible situation caused by corona virus, we Christians are called up by God to pray for and comfort fellow human beings who are gripped with threats to their lives. While practicing ‘social distance’, we’ve found ways to communicate with others by means of networking through the internet. For instance, we are encouraged to participate in the online prayer movement for the evangelization of 400 unreached races and tribes in the world. Please refer to ‘Golden Censer Magazine’ for details. Thirdly, Christ said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”, namely, we have to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Following the ascension of Jesus Christ, God sent the Holy Spirit. We should realize that we can live a joyful and peaceful life only when it is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit. We would be powerless to do anything without being helped by the Holy Spirit. Let me emphasize this, my friends: the only way to overcome the ‘covi’ plague is to count on the power of the Holy Spirit. Empowered by this Spirit, we may be able to challenge and defy the satanic power of corona virus. In conclusion, I’d like to quote John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. Take heart! I have overcome the world.” Amen! Sincerely, Kim Jin-young |