27 April 2014 by Natasha Kim CM –
Easter Weekend at City Harvest, Kuala Lumpur (CHCKL) saw thousands of people coming together in union and in remembrance of what the Lord has done for the world. The people also came to feast their eyes on one of the most significant production events of the year, this 2014. “White as snow” was another wonderful modern in-house production by CHCKL, with a mixture of acting, singing, dancing and even rapping. The story revolved around three lepers, how Jesus suffered for our sins and a girl (daughter of a leper) who had an abundance of hope in the Lord. The idea for the title “White As Snow” was obtained from how the skin of a leper would turn whitish and how Jesus is able to wash away our sins and sickness, cleansing us and making us “white as snow”.
The Message of Hope
The story began with a girl, by the name of Ariella, a beautiful girl who was sought after by many men to be their wife. She denied all of their proposals. Her only concern was her father who had been stricken with leprosy. Together leprosy had befallen her father, uncle and one of their friends and due to that, the three men were banished from the city and ordered to never go near anyone. Unwanted due to the incurable disease that would slowly kill them off one by one, they hid themselves, slowly awaiting their deaths. One day, when Ariella heard the talk of the town, of a man named Jesus who could perform miracles, she burst out with delight! All she needed to do now was to get her father to Jesus in hopes that he could be healed too.
As time went by, the Pharisees got news about Jesus and was appalled by the idea of him, and so they schemed to arrest and kill him. In time, they got their wish when Judas (disciple and follower of Jesus) betrayed Jesus for money. Through that betrayal Jesus was humiliated, beaten up, scourged and crucified on the cross. Ariella watched in disbelief, and had lost all hope by the sight of Jesus who couldn’t even save himself from the soldiers. That night, she grieved and went to her father, only to find that her father had passed away. She cried out in tears while holding him close. In her amazement, he awoke, right in front of her eyes, he was well and finally cured by the disease, all because she believed. He who knew no sin, suffered greatly. This story shows us that this great sacrifice was not in vain, that Jesus died because of His love for humanity; to cleanse us all from the sins of the world.
Close to the end of the service and after the production, Senior Pastor Kevin Loo came up to the altar to preach. There he preached about the seven “I am” statements that were stated in the Gospel of John.
- I am the Bread of Life
“It is to mean that when you and I have Christ in our life, we will no longer suffer hunger in our lives, not physical hunger but a spiritual hunger” shared Kevin.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
- I am the Light of the World
“Many people are lost. They do not know where they’re heading in life. Life is darkness, because they do not know their purpose and they do not know the meaning and understanding of life. When Jesus came He said, “I am the light of the world”. Jesus becomes our light and shows us where to go” shared Kevin.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
- I am the Gate
“Jesus is the gate that we all go through into the kingdom of God. You don’t go through any other gate except for the gate of Jesus Christ, and when we enter into the kingdom of God through the gate which is Jesus Christ, in that place we shall find freedom. In that place we will find a dwelling place in a state of peace” he said.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)
- I am the Good Shepherd
“It’s very interesting that the Bible calls us sheep. Well, in a way it is a way to represent that all of us find it very difficult to know where to go unless there is a shepherd in our lives” said Kevin. No one expects sheep to be responsible for themselves. Jesus our shepherd willingly and knowingly died to save us.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
- I am the Resurrection of Life
“If the entire Bible story ends on a Good Friday, when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, there would be no meaning for our Christian faith. Why? Because Jesus Himself died, but aren’t we glad that the Bible story did not end on a Good Friday. On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus came back to life. He appeared to His disciples and appeared to different people to show us that He himself has overcome death. We believe in a Saviour who has overcome death so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is the promise of Jesus!” shared Kevin.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
- I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
There’s no other way to go to God except through Jesus; the Bible scripture clearly tells us that. “Jesus did not say that Christianity is a set of rules. Jesus did not say that Christianity is something you must perform or observe in order for you to find life in the kingdom of God. Jesus says, “I am the way” shared Kevin. We are saved and have meaning in our lives because of Him whom the Lord has sent.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
- I am the Vine
“This is the one statement that Jesus says after we become Christians. All of us we want to be fruitful. All of us, we want to live effective lives” shared Kevin. In order for you and I to produce fruit and be fruitful and in order for us to have balance in our lives on earth, we need to grasp the truth of Jesus and believe in Him.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Many went home truly blessed by the message that weekend!
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