Fifteen or so years ago, I heard Larry Burkett tell about a Chinese man he heard speak at a church. The story changed Burkett’s whole life. I’ve tried to get a tape of this program from Larry’s ministry, but I have not been successful. So, the following is the story as I remember it.
In 1949, when Mao Zedong took over the mainland of China, his first acts included the elimination of all possible enemies. Christian missionaries were expelled. Then, a murderous rampage swept across the nation. Christian pastors and leaders, all government officials, people educated in or who had visited America, business leaders and others were executed. Millions were murdered.
A young lieutenant was dispatched by Mao to the rural villages of China. His job was to carry out Mao’s orders. Like all of Mao’s close associates, he was an ardent murderer.
But the young lieutenant came upon a village populated by enthusiastic Christians, taught by Watchman Nee. These Christians fasted and prayed for the lieutenant; and the lieutenant was saved.
In fact, the young lieutenant was gloriously saved. So much so, that the young lieutenant decided to return to Peking (now Beijing) and tell Mao the good news about Jesus.
Mao’s reaction to the young lieutenant’s testimony was instantaneous and gruesome. The dictator had the lieutenant’s wife and children brought in and a soldier stood behind each loved one with a pistol to the head.
“Reject your faith in Jesus,” said Mao to the young lieutenant.
The young man fell to his knees and wept. “I can’t. What’s happened to me is real,” he said.
His family was executed before his eyes.
Not satisfied, Mao brought in the lieutenant’s father, mother, brothers, sisters and all of his relatives. Each with a soldier’s pistol to the head.
Once again, Mao said, “Reject your faith in Jesus.”
The man pleaded and wept. “I can’t,” he said.
His whole family was wiped out.
Then, every friend that this young man ever had was brought in. Each suffered the same fate as his family.
Mao decided the young lieutenant was not worthy of death. He ordered him stript naked and thrown into the worst prison in China. Then, on a regular basis, he was brutally beaten.This nightmare continued for the young lieutenant for more than fifteen years, until the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960’s.
The young man’s legacy at the prison was that he led over 90% of his guards to Christ. These converted guards smuggled Bibles and books into prison for the man.
When Larry Burkett heard the Chinese man speak, the man was on an American speaking tour, visiting large churches. The man concluded his speech by saying, “I have seen your American Christianity; and that’s not the Jesus I know.”
He stood at the podium and wept for us American believers.
Larry Who 
It’s not the Jesus I know either. And I’m named among the American Christian.
Beautiful post! At my blog site I recently posted a 1974 letter written by Cory Ten Boon in which she expressed her grief and remorse concerning the Christians in China….and their horrific tortures and tribulations. And today in China, The Body of Christ remains in tribulation.
Cory ended her letter with ‘We’re next.”
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have you read the Heavenly Man by brother yun… is very much like that and very challenging – as a new zealand christian :o)
Claire,
I have not read the book, but I will. It looks great.
touching story… in his position, I wonder if I would have rather than responding ‘I can’t” the words came to mind… ‘accept Jesus.’
I’ve gone to mill for him, put my job on the line… (American life line, if there ever was one) Perhaps I just am not fitting the profile, or rather, fit the profile to its tee. ; )
I don’t sit in boxes well… I don’t sit well at all!
it is really powerful larry – i read it for the first time this year and think i need to buy a copy to read every year. i ahve a few books like that: praying hyde (about a missionary in india who prayed revival in – i have a real old copy but if you googled it you would find out about him – he was called praying hyde) and 100 days in the secret place by gene edwards which is a collection f writings from 3 17thc spiritual leaders (well one guy was in jail for his faith!) and their writings on teh cross and suffering and self denial and loving God….
claire,
Praying Hyde is one of my heroes.
But it’s funny that you have mentioned Gene Edwards. One of the books that I have read countless times is “Passing of the Torch”, which is about a famous house church in China. You can only buy it at Seed Sowers, Edwards’ publishing company.
wow, he is one of mine too! the book i have about him is a crusty old book i brought for $1 in a book sale and it just captured me and inspired me and challenged me!
and i love gene edwards – i have about 5-10 of his books including one about 3 kings (david and his sons) and the inward journey etc… he is fantastic… i will have to look into that one you mentioned…
blessings, claire
Claire,
I, too, have many of Gene Edwards’ books. He’s great. One of his proteges is Frank Viola who is also a great writer.
Well, I have read none of those books but I sure intend to. That is a remarkable story. I don’t think I will forget in a hurry the fact that he said when he visited America’s churches: “That is not the Jesus I know”.
I want to know that same Jesus too, but right now I am not sure I am tough enough for the ride, and although I know that If I ask for what I need to endure what may come, Jesus will give it to me, I am afraid to ask. I hope that makes some sense.
ransom33
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ransom33,
I know I’m not tough enough…but maybe He knows that too.