A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – April 6, 2020
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)
I was recently listening to a documentary on the growth of Christianity in Japan in the fifteenth century. In 1597 twenty-six Christians were crucified by the Japanese with the hope of putting a stop to the spread of Christianity in Japan. Listen to one of the internet accounts of this event.
In 1597, 26 Catholics – six European Franciscan missionaries, three Japanese Jesuits and 17 Japanese laymen including three young boys – were executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki. On the way up the hill, a man tempted the youngest boy Louis Ibaragi, age 12, to renounce his faith. He would not yield but eagerly asked, “Where is my cross?” When they pointed out the smallest one to him, he immediately embraced it and held on to it as a child clings to his toy. The martyrs were raised on crosses and then pierced through with spears. (from www.traditioninaction.org)
You can see from the picture (shown below) of this memorial the three young boys displayed. This memorial stands today in Nagasaki.
The part that really hit my heart the hardest was the actions of this young 12-year-old boy. In the midst of facing sure death, he stood up and said “Where is my cross”? I had to ask myself. Would I have had that type of faith, even at my age of 74, to stand up like that young man did? I would hope so! This was this young man’s testimony and it was based solidly on his belief in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus). It would not surprise me if when we all get to Heaven, we find this young man in a high-ranking position.
Christianity has not spread all over the world without much persecution and pain. I would hope we would all recognize that and thank God for the all the martyrs of the faith.
