Daily Devotion

“John Robert Morrison (1814–1843), son of Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China, was born in Macau, learned Chinese from his father and studied at the Anglo-Chinese College in Malacca (1827–1830). After his father's death in 1834 he succeeded him as Chinese Secretary and Interpreter to the British Superintendents of Trade. Apart from his official duties, he continued his father's work with the English Protestant church in Canton, supported Chinese converts persecuted by the authorities, revised his father's Bible translation, and in 1840 joined Medhurst, Gützlaff and Bridgman in translating the Bible into Chinese. He died of fever in Hong Kong in 1843, aged 29.”

Wikipedia · Wikipedia, "John Robert Morrison" (citing the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography et al.)

Scripture

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." —Matthew 9:36

Reflection

When the world judges others by political stances, cultural barriers, or xenophobic sentiments, Christians are called to have eyes that "go beyond appearances." The Qing Dynasty's xenophobia, seen as foolish by the world, is, from a salvational perspective, the struggle and defense of "sheep without a shepherd." When faced with rejection, indifference, or even hostility, do we choose to stand on moral high ground and "contempt," or do we bow down and "have compassion"? John Robert Morrison, amid heavy official duties, still supported persecuted Chinese believers and revised the Chinese Bible—faithful stewardship of the talents and position God had given him. True service begins with seeing through the thorns of others and acknowledging their suffering.