I would first like to apologize for not updating my blog regularly. Things had been routine ever since I got back from my China trip. We had our MSA Orientation camp and had a few hangouts with some of my friends, but other than that, nothing much is happening.
Okay, so the reason why I'm writing a new entry now is because I felt the need to share what I'm feeling inside right now. I had recently watched the movie Braveheart (actually just finished the movie right before opening my blog). I didn't know it was made in 1995; therefore, I didn't know to watch it. The overall movie itself is amazing...and gruesome. It's no wonder they won many awards. But putting those awesome movie-making aside, I especially love the message of the film. For those of you who do not know what Braveheart is all about... Well, it's basically about a Scottish patriot (William Wallace) who fought against the oppressing English kingdom in their land. He led his Scots army to achieve freedom. Many times, William was tempted to sidetrack from his conviction. And each time, he turned it down and stood his ground.
What hits me the most was the ending of the movie. Eventually, William was betrayed and captured by the English people. Before his execution, the princess of Wales visited him in the prison and begged him to drink an anesthetic liquid that will dull the pain he'll be facing during the torturous execution. William refused, saying that, "For if I'm senseless, or if I wail, the [English] would have broken me." As he was paraded towards the execution site, the citizens of England threw things at him to shame him. The executioner gave William a chance to submit to the English throne, which will give him a quick death instead of a long torture. William stood silent. There comes the first torture: hanging. After suffocating half dead, the executioner gave another chance for William to submit. And again, William silently refused and stood back up. The second torture fell on him: racking (which involves stretching the legs and arms with a rack). After that phase was over, the executioner asked William again if he wants mercy. William remained steadfast. The third torture involves cutting open his body and body parts (gruesome...I know...). Even then, the executioner offers William to shout "Mercy!" to end this suffering. The audience watching this execution also cried out for William to utter "Mercy!" William only had one last word to say: "Freedom!" as the axe ran through his neck, thus ending his life.
As I watched this scene, I was reminded of our Lord Jesus' brutal crucifixion. Jesus suffered alone. Picture this: you're going through a situation and you need comfort, but you find that all of your friends are not there to give you the encouragement you need. This is exactly what Jesus had to face. His closest disciples were sleeping while He had to pray hard before the arrest. Jesus was even tempted to escape this torture, but He made a resolution in Luke 22:42, "Father, if it is Your Will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." It takes great strength and personal conviction to say those words. Jesus had to die for our sins. He was accused of deeds He did not do. Jesus was whipped several times before being paraded around Via Dolorosa to be humiliated more by the people. On the cross, His flesh were already torn out that He doesn't even look like a human being anymore. He had to hang there for six hours, His body all covered in blood. Jesus was tortured mercilessly for something He did not do, yet He accepts it just to save us from the bondage of sin. If He is willing to die for our salvation, how much more should we be willing to die for His sake.......
God bless you,
Justin
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