From Singapore National Library Board
“Jesus Saves Mission” House in Tanjong Pagar, before 1982. This is a general view of the entrance to “Jesus Saves Mission” House in a shophouse at Tanjong Pagar. The mission house was founded by Reverend Peter Ng Eng Hoe, run by Christian volunteers, and provides free medical, social and educational aid to the poor.
The above is the historic description of Jesus Saves Mission, Craig Road, Tg Pagar
Now let’s go back in history with me back to the 1974, 75 & 76 years
On a narrow lane called Craig Road are PreWar Shophouses. Somewhere in the center is “Jesus Saves Mission. Now as we enter there is a wooden flight of stairs leading to the 1st Floor. As we enter we see a Good Sized Hall with wooden floor boards. Towards the right in the middle we pass one room which has a phone. Then another room of similar size. And finally we are at the back where there is an airwell. Right at the very end is a bath & then the toilet. The toilet has no modern flush system.
Many a night I lived here alone. Oh, yet not alone. This is none other what Jacob said,
“Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Gen. 28:16 -17)”
In this lowly humble place God showed me a revelation
Jesus was born in a borrowed manger. He has no where to lay his head as earth has no room for Him; Jesus borrowed a coin to illustrate a message (he owns nothing, not even a penny; he enters Jerusalem by borrowing a young ass for he owns no possession. He borrowed “the upper room” for his final supper with his disciples for he has no place of permanent abode. His tomb was borrowed – and that for only 3 days.
Who is Jesus? What has he done? He left His ivory palaces in heaven for a lowly crib. He left heaven where the street is paved with gold. And yet on earth he is so poor that he doesn’t even own a coin? He created the great whales & the cattle on a thousand hills and yet he has to borrow a lowly colt. “In My Father’s House are many mansions”, Jesus said and yet he has to borrow a room for he has no permanent abode. And in death his tomb was borrowed – just for 3 days.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinth 8:9)
Christ became poor. Poor for our sakes. What has he got then? Ah, he has a Cross! He lifted up his heavy cross and moved towards Calvary. They gave him a crown of thorns. Thorns? Thorns were the result of man’s sins. And so he bore our curse. And the nails?
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Jesus was wounded in his head, his hands, his side and his feet by nails.
Jesus gave His very life for us. His lifeblood was poured out for us in love
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
See how he loved
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isa. 63:9)
As R. A. Torrey says, “When the crown of thorns presses against the brow of Jesus it presses into the heart of God. As the nail pierces into the hands of Jesus it pierces into the heart of God. As the spear plunges into the side of Jesus it plunges into the heart of God.
“in all my afflictions Jesus was afflicted. Jesus was stricken, smitten, afflicted & crucified for me”.
All Glory Be To Christ Jesus! Amen & Amen!