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MAY 2, 2011
A SAINT AND A WITNESS
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)
David Wilkerson was one of the most famous “saints” of the 20th Century. Now he is a saint gone before us.
Rev. Wilkerson, the once skinny preacher who dared brave the gang-infested streets of New York City to
capture the hearts of ganglords, harlots, and addicts with the love of Jesus, was killed in an auto accident in Texas this week. If the name still doesn’t ring a bell, Rev. Wilkerson’s story
was told in the widely read The Cross and the Switchblade, a standard even in public school literature classes for many years.
Believe it or not, Rev. Wilkerson is a shining example for those who take on the mission of a Links Player. For
throughout this mission—with its commitment to Love God and others, Integrate Christ’s reign into all of life, Network with those who have Jesus, Kindle compassion for the poor and needy, and
Share the Good News of Jesus—is threaded the willingness to leave our holy huddles and take Jesus to where people need to hear of His love in us.
When notorious gang leader Nicky Cruz threatened to butcher Rev. Wilkerson, the slight man stood strong in the strength
of Christ. He faced Cruz and said, “You could cut me in a thousand pieces and lay them out in the street and every piece would love you.”
If in his life Rev. Wilkerson was a redeemed saint (as all who are in Christ may say of themselves), then in death he
has become one of the great cloud of witnesses. He hovers above our time and watches the depth and development of our own obedient commitment to Jesus. For we have a race marked out for us, each one. As
Links Players, this race includes carrying the love and message of Jesus to country clubs and golf courses (where some sinners are as hardened as gang members!). And as individuals, we have more places
to go with Jesus in us—to our offices, our neighborhoods, our schools and the schools of our children, to the stores we shop in and the restaurants we dine in. In all of these places, we will find
people resistant on the outside but desperate on the inside.
Nicky Cruz told Christianity Today’s Trevor Persaud this week, “David reminded me of Jesus. Two precious things that fascinate me about Christ: That he had active eyes, and always was there, looking at the needs of the
people. Dave had this heart of compassion just like Jesus.”
Wow! Now that’s a witness I want to impress!
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Jeff Hopper
May 2, 2011
Copyright 2011 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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