Richard Wurmbrand

Meeting Jesus Where He Is – Richard Wurmbrand

Whoever wishes to meet Jesus must meet him in places where brothers and sisters of Jesus are hungry, thirsty, naked, unwanted, sick or in prison. Whoever keeps himself distant from these places remains distant from Jesus.

– Richard Wurmbrand –

Everyone Was Happy – Richard Wurmbrand

It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists’] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.

– Richard Wurmbrand –
from Tortured for Christ

Christians Who Bear Willingly the Cross for God’s Glory – Richard Wurmbrand

In a letter smuggled out secretly, the Underground Church said, “”We don’t pray to be better Christians, but that we may be the only kind of Christians God means us to be: Christlike Chris­tians, that is, Christians who bear willingly the cross for God’s glory.””

– Richard Wurmbrand –
from Tortured for Christ

Playing His Song – Richard Wurmbrand

When the Messiah comes, many will try to play their own songs on His harp. The results will be tragically dissonant. On the Messiah’s harp, you must play His own song — the song of His eternal glory with God; the song of His humiliation as a babe in a manger; the song of a life in sorrow, opposition and poverty on Earth; the song of His being whipped and crucified and buried; and finally the song of His resurrection, ascension and enthronement in heaven. “Then the harp will give a beautiful sound. His congregation will shine like a sun.”

– Richard Wurmbrand –

The Underground Christian – Richard Wurmbrand

Christianity has become dramatic with us. When Chris­tians in free countries win a soul for Christ, the new believer may become a member of a quietly living church. But when those in captive nations win someone, we know that he may have to go to prison and that his children may become or­phans. The joy of having brought someone to Christ is always mixed with this feeling that there is a price that must be paid. We had met an entirely new type of Christian——the Christian of the Under­ground Church.

– Richard Wurmbrand – 
from Tortured for Christ

Honor to Preach the Gospel – Richard Wurmbrand

When I received my first invitation to preach at a university and was asked what my honorarium would be, I answered, “It is honor enough to preach the Gospel. I can’t see why an honorarium is needed. Where I come from, the honorarium for telling the story of Christ is twenty-five years in prison. If you witness for Him in jail, it is twenty-five sticks. I will speak without honorarium.” The invitation was canceled. I was considered a nut.

– Richard Wurmbrand –

Strictly Forbidden to Preach – Richard Wurmbrand

It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners, as it is in captive nations today. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their terms. It was a deal: we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching; they were happy beating us—so everyone was happy.

– Richard Wurmbrand –