Christian Living

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Larry Lilly’s Letter Wednesday February 18, 2009

I often enjoy reading books that many of my friends find appalling. I do not do this to infuriate my friends, but I often find something emphasized that is either ignored or underemphasized by more “acceptable” authors. Such is the case for today’s musing.

Most Americans have never heard of Shusku Endo, yet his name is a flash point in Japan. He often writes about untouched things and how they apply in daily life, and when asked why he fails to harp on the more mundane things, he replies, because everyone else writes on the more mundane things.

Here is a clip from Endo in his “A Life of Jesus:”

“He was thin; he wasn’t much. One thing about him, however he was never known to desert other people if they had trouble. When women were in tears, he stayed by their side. When old folks were lonely, he sat with them quietly. It was nothing miraculous, but the sunken eyes overflowed with love more profound than a miracle. And regarding those who deserted him, not a word of resentment came to his lips. No matter what happened, he was the man of sorrows, and he prayed for nothing but their salvation.”

Endo, a revered novelist in Japan states that he did not write the book for theologians, but for ordinary Japanese with no Christian tradition to build from. I think he is wise in this decision. Most folks in our church and most of my friends have a good concept of the truth of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, and that is good, but for the most part we theologically correct folks have no real appreciation of Endo’s above description of the deep love seated qualities of Jesus.

Notice the words Endo uses to convey that Jesus is totally different from any person or “god” the Japanese people have read about or known. The idea of Jesus forgiving Peter, calling Judas “friend” is totally foreign to their idea of super tough iron clad succeed or die philosophy. That Jesus could send a message of love to Peter after his denial, blows their mind. Endo understands this and sends this truth to them.

Look again at the words Endo uses: desertion, trouble, crying women, old folks, resentment.

How do you feel about those who have betrayed you in some way? Do you offer help to those in trouble? Anytime for loved ones in the nursing home? How about resentment toward those who may have “used” you along the way? Most people I know have more trouble acting like Jesus along the these life events than they do subscribing to some formula that makes them Christians outwardly than dealing with the real, down deep inner sins that accompany un-Christian attitudes toward those who have used, abused, taken advantage of or betrayed us.

Can you imagine how Peter felt when he realized that Jesus STILL loved him; even after his denial? That men fail was and is not new in the grand scheme of the world. But that Jesus loves me when I fail, often deliberately, that is new and too oft unsung by we who love Jesus, most of the time. For the bulk of my ministry I have been used of Christ to help people get up after a colossal failure. When on occasion I am bitterly opposed in this endeavor, I recall the way Jesus helped the outcast and seriously try to do likewise.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit

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