Christianity, Idolatry and Witchcraft

I had the opportunity to visit the Church of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines.  The Philippines is considered a Christian nation as 80% of the population claim to be Catholic.  On my last day in Manila we visited the Church of the Black Nazarene.  It is a large Cathedral in the heart of Manila.  The “Black Nazarene” is an idol that at some point in history turned black.  There are a few stories as to how that happened.  Vendors lined the street on both sides as we walked from the train to the church.  They sold every type of good luck charm imaginable; from crucifixes and Mary statures to stingray tails claiming to remove evil spirits from a home.  They sold candles of various colors to bring good fortune in life.  They sold a black candle to curse someone who has wronged you.  We worked our way around the crowd of people that waited to enter the church.  We spoke to some of the church volunteers.  They told us they expected 100,000 people to visit the church that day.  We were told people come to bring their “wish” to the black Nazarene.  We were told that the priest comes out on the street and blesses the “lucky charms” that the vendors sale.  This mixing of “Christianity”, idolatry, and witchcraft shows the desperate need for the Gospel to reach this city of 28 million people. The people who have religion but no Savior.  They buying charms, candles and bringing a wish, while continuing to live each day without hope.  Unfortunately this is not uncommon.  People are trapped in the same kinds of hopeless religion all around the world. Seeing this crowed of people reminded me of what we read in Mark 6. When Jesus saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.  (Mt 9:38)