Copyright: The National Journal Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia- Opinions expressed in these posts are not necessarily those of the Editor or the National Journal Committee.
By James Jeffery “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for […]
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
Luke 5:43-44 (ESV)
Mitsuo Fuchida, while serving as the captain of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II, led the initial aerial assault on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Post-war, Emperor Hirohito honoured him with the highest medal of valour for his leadership in orchestrating the attack.
Fuchida describes his emotions following Pearl Harbour:
“My heart was ablaze with joy for my success in getting the whole main force of American Pacific Fleet in hand, and I put my whole effort into the war that followed it with strong hatred towards America, the result of which was that misery which is clear to everyone today.”
Resentment into Love
Following the war, Fuchida remained resentful toward America. However, over time he began to seriously reflect on the hatred he witnessed during the war, both in his own heart, and the hearts of others. He reflected: “So long as mankind remained in opposition to one another within the frame of nationality, the only consequence could be the destruction of civilization.”
One day while at Shibuya Railroad station in Tokyo, he was handed a Christian pamphlet. The pamphlet was the testimony of Jacob DeShazer, an American soldier who was held as a prisoner of war in Japan.
Whilst in prison, Jacob – an atheist – began to read the Bible and encountered Jesus Christ. Jesus changed Deshazer’s heart, and his hatred of the Japanese was transformed into love. Following the war, Deshazer returned to Japan as a missionary to tell them about the love of Christ he had experienced firsthand.
It was DeShazer’s pamphlet that prompted Fuchida to purchase a Bible. It was by reading the Bible that Fuchida came to know Christ as well! He realised that peace with God and others is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Bomber Turned Preacher
After coming to know Jesus Christ, Fuchida became a preacher and devoted the rest of his life to telling others about the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.
Fuchida recognised that there is no way we can forgive our enemies unless we first recognise that God loved us when we were His enemies.
Up to his dying breath in 1974, Fuchida’s life was devoted to declaring Jesus Christ as the Saviour. God had changed him from a man of hate into a man of love, from a man of war into a man of peace.
What about you?
Do you feel enslaved by bitterness?
Are you tired of holding grudges against others?
Do you want to be freed from hatred?
The love of Jesus Christ is the only solution to bitterness and resentment. No matter how hard we try, we cannot be freed from hatred unless we experience the loving kindness of our Saviour toward us. Have you experienced this love?
Only once we have experienced Christ’s love can we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Come to Christ today and experience His radical love for yourself.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father,
Forgive us for holding grudges against others. Jesus Christ, thank You for the forgiveness You won for us at the cross. Holy Spirit, empower us to love our enemies and let go of our resentment.
How does the local church meaningfully engage in overseas mission? In this episode AP talks to Ross Pethybridge about how his congregation engages with this Biblical challenge. There's no greater joy than being involved in what Jesus is doing in the world, and thankfully He delights in using especially those who are weak in this world to display His divine strength.
The National Journal Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia- Opinions expressed in these posts are not necessarily those of the Editor or the National Journal Committee.
