Daily Devotions
(Jesus said) “… Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19b
Many times I have stood with a family beside an open grave and they have turned to me and asked, “What do people do at such time when they don’t have Jesus?” It was their way of saying the Savior who has conquered death and grave has given them peace during a time of personal grief.
Today, many Christians are watching the tragedy taking place in Japan and are wondering what do you do at such times without a Savior to help you?
Since Christianity can claim only a very small percentage of Japan’s population, that is a fair question. What do people do at such a time without Jesus?
In most countries of the world, people would rely on their faith. But many public polls have reported that somewhere between 70 and 85 percent of Japan’s citizenry claim no official religious affiliation. While you might say, “I am a Christian,” very few Japanese would say, “I am a Buddhist or a follower of Shinto.”
This is not to say the Japanese are not religious. They are.
And in the months to come they will be relying upon those traditional faiths. Buddhism, which teaches that the living should have a tremendous respect for the dead, is telling citizens to live in such a way that they will not embarrass their ancestors. The Shinto faith is even now encouraging folks to stand fast, stand firm and trust in the establishment and be a good citizen of the nation.
The average Japanese citizen will take a little bit of advice from each of these religions and convert that into practical directives that will help them get through the day. That is what you do when you don’t have Jesus.
In these last days I have watched the people of Japan and they have impressed me greatly. They have shown a courage in the face of catastrophe that has been a tremendous example. It is helping them get through their dark days.
And if religion is only there to help you limp through tragedy, then these religions of Japan have done a pretty good job. But what happens if religion is to do more?
What if we are here to praise our Creator and not please our ancestors? What happens if we live once and then there is a judgment? What happens if humanity is truly helpless — helpless before an earthquake or a tsunami and helpless before sin, the devil and death?
If those are the real questions of life and Christianity says they are, then we need a Savior. We need a Savior who will rescue us from our pains and problems, who will forgive us our sins. In the Person of Jesus, our loving Father has given us such a Savior. In Jesus we have forgiveness of our sins and the promise that there is a world where there are no tragedies like Japan has seen.
Today let it be our prayer that the people of Japan may be brought to this Savior who can help them in this life and bring them to the next. You know, the place where there is no darkness and no tears.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord and Savior, we give thanks that You have in Your life, death and resurrection conquered sin, death and devil. Now, because of Your work, all who believe on You are saved and given the positive and powerful assurance that because You live they shall live also. Grant that the people of Japan — and the entire world — may see that You offer much more than any other faiths this world offers. This I pray in Your Name. Amen.