When the first time I read this story, I was deeply moved and very impressed on one figure in this true story. This story illustrates a 12 years old Japanese boy who has strength of faith so amazingly. Ibaragi Kun. He has unbreakable faith!
Japan. November 23, 1596 is the beginning of Christian persecution in Japan. Ibaragi Kun and twenty-six people were arrested in Kyoto, Japan and will be executed. At that time, there is a soldier took him aside and urges him to deny or recant his faith to save his life. Looking the soldier in the eye, Ibaragi said confidently, “Sir, it would be far better if you yourself became a Christian. Then you could go to heaven with me.” the soldier stared! Startled by Ibaragi faith and then Ibaragi said: Sir, where is my cross?
The soldier was bewildered and pointed to a small cross. The Young Ibaragi Kun ran to that cross, knelt before it and embraced the cross. When the soldiers began to nail his hands and feet to the cross, he did not cry out in pain. He courageously accepted the path God had laid out for him. Ibaragi died to defend the most precious thing in his life. For his faith and trust in God he willing to nailed at the cross along with twenty six other people.
My dear blog friends, how about the condition of our faith now? In this modern era we may not actually be forced to deny our faith and trust to God like Ibaragi, but we must realize that denial will come from the world’s temptations. The devil is never motionless. He will continue to strive to leach our faith and he expects finally we will forsake God. When our lives are hit by a lot of big problems and it seems God has not given a solution that’s when the devil works. He would offer so many wonderful way out to us. Satan will offer us a better life and set us free from all of problems. Was then that our faith is truly tested. If we remain steadfast in our faith or even slowly but sure our faith started to fades and finally we will deny God?
The story of Ibaragi Kun shows us that Ibaragi really understand the meaning of God’s word: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). We do not need to be killed to prove the strength of our faith but the most important is how to keep our faith remain strong in the midst of a very difficult situation and when God seems not answer our prayer yet. When the devil temptation is come let we refer and remember to this Bible verse: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). This verse was clearly said that we must keep watching and always pray in order to not fall into the temptations and when our lives totally full of problems and trials lets we remember one of famous God’s promise to us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30). Devil gives us the good way but our God give us the very best way among the best.
If we longing to have a faith that is always grow up, strengthened every day and have unbreakable faith like Ibaragi Kun? Or we will deny god, follow the devil for the sake of get a life which free from problems and trials but we fall into sin?
“When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods.” (2 Kings 17:35-37) Amen.
Karina
Photo credit :truthworks.org
Karina's Thought 