Trembling Hands

John Wang invited Missionary John Knight to visit his house church in China. Before one of the services began John Knight wanted to write something down but didn’t have a pen, so he asked John Wang if he could borrow one. As he handed it to him, Wang’s hand trembled. John Knight asked him why his hands shook so. In his very humble and shy way, Mr. Wang smiled and said, “It’s a memorial from the Lord.” John Knight asked him to explain.

He then began quietly sharing with the group how in 1976 his arms were fastened behind his back and that he was then lifted up by a rope tied around his thumbs and hands, and left there hanging. Why? Chairman Mao Zedong had just died and all people in this area of China were told to wear black armbands and bow themselves before a photo of the Chairman. But neither John nor his parents could bow before the idol. With that decision made, the Red Guards then burned all their furniture, farming equipment and belongings, sealed up the house and chased the family away.

Then twenty-five-year-old John was chosen for torture to make him pay for the stand his family took for Christ. Although strung up by his hands for hours, he didn't deny his Lord, and when almost asphyxiated from hanging in that position, he was cut down. So now this dear brother in the Lord is left with the “memorial” of shaking hands.

What was surprising was that the people in his congregation had mouths wide open in astonishment, for they had never heard this themselves! It’s a great thing to suffer sharp pain and cruel agony for the name of the Lord; it is another thing to make no, or just passing mention, of it.

Dear Jesus, You gave Your life for me. What have I given for You?

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:10-12).