February 18, 2018

The Shepherd's Corner

THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

This week another tragedy struck America. A 19-year-old former student came back to the school that had expelled him, killed 17 and injured dozens of others. I cannot even begin to imagine how the parents of these children must have felt when they learned that their loved ones were among the dead. Evil had prevailed in the dark soul of Nikolas Cruz, driving him to lash out his pain and anger.

When I read his name, I could not help but remember someone else whose name bears resemblance to this shooter’s name, Nicky Cruz. This Nicky Cruz is a Christian evangelist. Unlike Nikolas Cruz who lived in an affluent part of Florida, Nicky Cruz grew up in a poor section of Puerto Rico. Instead of loved, he was emotionally abused by his parents. Even his mother used to call him, Son of Satan.

At age 15 he moved to New York City to live with his brother, but it didn’t last long. He moved out and lived on the street and later joined a notorious street gang called, the Mau Mau. He rose through the ranks and became the gang leader. One day David Wilkerson, an evangelist, came and shared the gospel with Nicky Cruz. He told Cruz, “Jesus loves you and He will never stop loving you.” In response, Cruz slapped him and threatened to kill him.

But, Wilkerson didn’t give up; he kept coming. One day when Wilkerson held a revival meeting, he invited Nicky. It was then he repented. After his conversion, he went to Bible school and became an evangelist. He returned to the street of New York and shared the Gospel with his former gang members. Many came to Christ.

Similar names, similar souls—very dark, but different outcomes. It is the name of Jesus which made the difference.

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - September 22, 2019
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER In her commencement’s address to the 2019 graduating class of Harvard University, Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, said this, “There is no beginning without an end, no day without night, no life without death. Our whole life consists of the difference, the space betw...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - June 14, 2020
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER I did not know Oom Injo too well. Due to health reasons, he was usually in his room whenever I visited Tante Margaret. But the little I knew about him, there was one thing that is absolutely clear about him: He was devoted to God! Every time I asked him to pray, […]...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - March 2, 2025
I think most of us do not know who Merle Oberon was.  Well, I did not, either, until I came across this article about her.  She’s an actor who was nominated for an Oscar in 1935, for her movie, “The Dark Angel.”  But what caught my attention was not this part of her life, but [&...
Read More