MESSENGER - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

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A Christ-uplifting experience!
My wife and I were fortunate
enough take in the Great Hallelujah
concert, led by Danny Plett here in
Steinbach on April 30, sponsored
by our EM Conference. What a
wonderful, God-honouring and
Christ-uplifting experience it was.
Danny’s singing, his band
brought in from Europe, and the
mass choir were splendid. The
concert drew together the Christian
community and was a powerful
witness to a world often jaded by
what they hear and see in the media
every day.
This positive message was aided
in no small part by the free-will
offering collected in support of local
charities.
I doubt I have ever been more
proud to be EMC than I was that
night. Can we see more in the
future?
Earl Unger
Steinbach, Man.
Portrayal of Jesus inaccurate
Jesus’ action of driving out the
moneychangers in the temple was
one of controlled wrath. He did
not “flip out” nor “lose it.” These
idioms suggest that The Son of God
suddenly lost his temper and burst
out in uncontrollable anger. In fact,
his actions were those of amazing
mercy and love.
He was being merciful to those
weary travelers, who would suddenly
face unexpected costs to worship
their God. They were perhaps
living from “hand to mouth” and
didn’t know where their next meal
was coming from. His actions were
those of justice for the oppressed.
For He lifts up the lowly.
He was also being merciful to
those who were part of the temple
“system.” He could have immediately
shattered the corruption and
pulverized the building with His
awesome power. Instead, He gave
them more time. Instead of taking
charge of the whole system, He
declared war on evil.
He looked his opponents straight
in the eye and spoke: “The stone
which the builders rejected has become
the chief corner stone. Whoever
falls on that stone will be broken; but
on whomever it falls, it will grind him
to powder” (Luke 20: 17–18). They “got
it” and tried to kill Him.
His anger is amazing in its
humility. His eyes were fixed on His
greatest battle at the cross. He knew
that His victory would be completed
there.
I agree with Mr. Plett’s main
thesis that we as believers need
to be moved by the impulse of the
Holy Spirit rather than by our own
programs and systems. Rather
than becoming more relationship
oriented, perhaps we need to first
become quiet enough to listen to
God’s voice and hear His direction.
I was shocked and dismayed to
see the way that Jesus’ character
was portrayed on the front cover of
the magazine. To me, it is irreverent
and inaccurate, to say the least.
Thank you for letting me have
my say.
Rosalind Petzold
La Crete, Alta.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 5