On March 16, the second Sunday of Lent this year, Minister Han Xue of Jiangsu Lu Church in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, delivered a sermon titled "Wisdom is Proved Right by Her Deeds" during the day's second worship service. Drawing from the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus, he encouraged believers to follow Christ on the path of the cross.
Preaching from Matthew 11:2-19, Minister Han first recounted the life of John the Baptist, who testified that Jesus is the Lamb of God and baptized him. John fulfilled his mission and is recognized as Elijah, the forerunner of the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.
Han stressed that John the Baptist was a person who justified wisdom, as the scripture says, "Wisdom is proved right by her deeds." Jesus called John the greatest among the prophets because, unlike the Old Testament prophets who only foretold the Messiah's coming, John not only prophesied but also personally witnessed and testified to Jesus.
However, Jesus pointed out that "whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Han emphasized that this was because John the Baptist did not witness the salvation accomplished by Jesus on the cross, and those who receive this salvation are more blessed. The salvation through the cross is beyond humans' imagination, as no one could have expected God to save humanity in such a way. While John the Baptist was a person who "justified wisdom," Jesus is more of an example of "proving wisdom."
Reflecting on the suffering of Jesus, Han recalled what she observed during the previous Lent spent at the seminary. Some students fasted, some abstained from breakfast for 40 days, others refrained from dinner or meat, and many gave up entertainment. Some even paid special attention to their clothing. These acts aimed to prepare their hearts and keep them vigilant during the Lenten season.
The salvation Jesus achieved on the cross grants believers immense blessings and the assurance of God's love. "No power in this world or the devil can accuse us or rule over our lives. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who lives in our hearts forever, enabling us to live in God's grace and peace throughout our lives." Han expressed gratitude, stating, "Believers no longer need to fear or feel sorrow. Jesus doesn't love us because of our behavior; he was crucified for humanity even before we knew him."
Han then urged everyone to avoid becoming the following types of people who lack wisdom: the foolish who lack wisdom, the ignorant who deviate from the truth, the arrogant who reject the truth, and the stubborn who are resistant to change. She encouraged believers to follow the examples of John the Baptist and Jesus, becoming people who justify wisdom and demonstrate through their actions that they are on the right path. She called on the congregation not to be ashamed of the cross, but to boldly take up their own cross and follow the Lord steadfastly throughout their lives.
After the sermon, Senior Pastor Zhang Junhua pointed out that the values of Christianity differ from those of the secular world, noting that the suffering endured by the preachers for their faith was a sign that their faith was deeply rooted. Pastor Zhang encouraged the congregation to be proud of the cross, firmly believing that "if you are proud of God, He will not treat you unfairly."
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
