Thursday, December 19, 2002

Luke 22: 24 - 27

Toyohiko Kagawa (l888-l960) has been called "undoubtedly one of the greatest men of the twentieth century and one of the most creative persons in Japanese history in the area of social and political reform" (Richard H. Drummond, A History of Christianity in Japan, l971). Many others would agree that Kagawa met Jesus' standard of true greatness.

After the death of both parents, the four-year-old Kagawa lived in a hostile home environment where he experienced virtually every kind of neglect and abuse that he would later try to alleviate and/or eliminate on behalf of others.

Thanks to the guidance of a Japanese Christian teacher and two American missionaries, Kagawa overcame his deprived-childhood scars and became an earnest Christian. "O God, make me like Christ" was the prayer that determined the rest of his life.

He eagerly studied the Bible, Western classics, and important writings of the rising socialist thinkers. Before completing studies at Meiji Gakuin, he contracted tuberculosis and nearly died, but he recovered his health, finished there, went to a Japanese theological seminary, then came to the USA where he earned an MA at Princeton and a BD at Princeton Seminary.

During his school years and until his death, Kagawa spoke out fearlessly about his faith and his views on social reform. He always considered himself foremost a Christian evangelist, a bearer of God's good news. However, he spent l5 years in the terrible slums of Kobe, where he worked tirelessly for improved living and working conditions, labor unions, social welfare, cooperatives and credit unions. He left the slums but never stopped his efforts for poor people of both urban and rural areas. Opposing the militant socialism of Marx and others, Kagawa urged non-violent change. His strong international, anti-war views got him into trouble with the Japanese government during three wars.

After his death, Kagawa received an imperial decoration--one of the most prestigious awards to any Japanese citizen. I have no doubt that God considers Toyohiko Kagawa a truly great disciple.

O God, keep our whole country under your protection. Wipe out sin from this land; lift it up from the depth of sorrow, O Lord, our shining light. Save us from deep grief and misfortune, Lord of all nations. Bless us with your wisdom, so that the poor may not be oppressed and the rich may not be oppressors. Make this a nation having no ruler except God, a nation having no authority but that of Love.
Toyohiko Kagawa UM Hymnal #429

Frank Kuhlman

All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.