Beijing's Chongwenmen Church marked Holy Tuesday with a worship service on the third day of this year's Holy Week.
As dusk fell around 6:30 p.m., the church's exterior lights were already illuminated. Over 20 choir members, dressed in traditional Hebrew attire, led the congregation in praise and worship in the churchyard. The worship was accompanied by an electronic piano, and during the final song, "The Throne," many attendees formed a circle, raising their hands in unison with the worship team.
After the outdoor praise, the congregation entered the sanctuary, where Assistant Pastor Yan Shuliang delivered a sermon focused on Mark 12:28-34, focusing on the theme of "The Greatest Commandment."
On Holy Tuesday, the Lord Jesus debated with the Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, and teachers of the law, responding to their challenges and teaching the people through various precepts and parables.
In his sermon, Assistant Pastor Yan first referenced Deuteronomy 6:5, explaining that Jesus' command to "love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" was not a new teaching, but rather a reaffirmation of the enduring nature of the Old Testament commandments. He then drew on personal experiences of spiritual weakness and struggle to explore how Christians can genuinely understand and live out this "Greatest Commandment."
Yan noted that the decisions believers make in challenging situations often reveal the condition of their faith. He urged the congregation to reflect on their daily priorities—whether they place work, family, or social standards above God's will. He also stressed that the greatest commandment calls believers to remain connected with God in love and faith throughout every moment of life, staying close to and obedient to His word.
Addressing the issue of "conditional prayer" or "selective obedience" among some believers, Yan criticized the mindset of "bargaining with God" and reminded the congregation that a significant misunderstanding of the Christian faith is the abuse of God's love and the attempt to assert one's own sovereignty over Him. Such attitudes, he warned, ultimately provoke God's anger and rejection.
"Christ calls us to participate in his death, not just to enjoy glory without purpose," he emphasized. "Christians must be truly vigilant and reverent, setting aside personal will, fully surrendering the sovereignty of lives to God, and living a life of obedience."
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Poppy Chan
