Tears for Caledon

By Pastor Bill

Moses interceded for the covenant community with such self-identification with them that he could pray, “But now, please, forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written” (Exodus 32:32). Paul could say, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race…” (Romans 9:3).

When’s the last time I prayed a similar prayer for my countrymen, for our city of Caledon? When’s the last time we had great sorrow and unceasing anguish in our hearts for unsaved neighbours and friends? When’s the last time we followed our Lord (who wept over Jerusalem) and shed tears for Caledon because our people are like sheep without a Shepherd? To think prayerfully about the gospel very often what we most urgently need are tears.

A few years ago I read from a Professor in the Chicago area about a radio talk show with a large audience in Chicago, and the host asked several guests to discuss whether anyone could be saved apart from Jesus. Three on the panel pooh-poohed the idea in graphic terms. The fourth was a Jewish-Christian believer on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. His ethnic background was known by everyone there, so when it was his turn to speak, the host baited him by asking him if he thought his fellow Jews could be saved apart from Christ. This Christian brother began to weep, and then to sob quietly, uncontrollably. After a minute or two, the host said that he had never heard a more compelling reason to become a Christian.

Pastor Bill