Matthew 9:12-13 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

These two verses contain some of the best news ever, but sadly, many people do not receive them that way. Anyone who recognizes that they are a sinner in need of salvation rejoices to hear these words of Jesus, but anyone who tries to insist they aren’t a sinner is left out in the cold. That’s the problem with the whole “I’m OK, you’re OK” idea. In a completely relativistic society, there’s no perceived need for a Savior, and that’s the way we’re headed. If all choices are equal, there is no guilt for whatever choice is made. However, the fallacy of that way of thinking is increasingly obvious, as some individuals choose to commit mass killings. That’s the problem with the whole “gun control” debate right now. People need to be taught from childhood that right is right and wrong is wrong, but then that would force people to admit that homosexuality is unnatural and abortion is murder, and they refuse to do that. God’s salvation is available to all who will receive it, but to receive it, you have to admit that you need it! People’s unwillingness to do that is tragic indeed.

This has always been an issue in Japan because, as many scholars have noted, Japanese culture is “shame based” rather than “sin based.” Children are disciplined by being told, “people will laugh at you,” rather than, “that’s wrong.” The word for “sin” is closely connected to the idea of crime, so people think that if they’ve done nothing the police would be interested in, they are without sin. The thing is, Japanese people do have consciences, so this analogy falls apart after a point, but the problem is that admitting sin is seen as a source of shame, so they are very reluctant to do that. The irony in all of this is that the Japanese term for repentance, which translates literally as “regret and start over,” is actually much easier to understand than the English term. God has planted me in this culture to bring people the good news of His salvation and train them as His disciples, so I need to trust Him to give me the wisdom and insight necessary to get that job done. It’s for sure I don’t have what it takes on my own!

Father, thank You for this reminder of the task that is before me. Thank You for the successes You have given me. I sincerely wish there were more of them! Help me press in to You, seeking You above and before everything else, even including harvest, just as You told me to do early this month while I was in Tohoku, so that You may pour Your grace into and through me as You desire, building up the Body of Christ for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!