GOOD FRIDAY
For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most pivotal day in the history of the world. On Good Friday, Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
CONTEMPLATING JESUS' CRUCIFIXION: INSIGHTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TOYOHIKO KAGAWA-PASTOR JOSEPH SEO
Toyohiko Kagawa is one of the most influential theologians and Christian activists in the modern history of Japan. At the beginning of the twentieth century, while Japan was undergoing industrialization, certain segments of society were neglected. As people suffered and died due to poverty, Kagawa, inspired by his faith in Christ, immersed himself among the marginalized and initiated a ministry to address social injustice and spread the gospel.
In 1909, Kagawa commenced his ministry in Japan's largest slum, where poverty, disease, and crime were rampant. Despite the apparent hopelessness, Kagawa dedicated himself fervently to serving the community. He established his own volunteer organization to provide essential relief and founded schools for children.
After six years in the slum, Kagawa recognized that alleviating poverty required systemic change rather than just meeting immediate needs. In 1914, he pursued further study at Princeton Seminary in the USA, which deepened his vision. Upon returning to Japan, Kagawa expanded his ministry into various areas, including organizing the Japanese Federation of Labor, the National Anti-War League, and worldwide evangelism conferences. Regardless of the scope of his work, Kagawa remained dedicated to serving the vulnerable and glorifying God, devoting his life to Christ.
From Kagawa's meditational writings, I would like to highlight two themes related to Jesus' crucifixion: the significance of the cross and the understanding of suffering.
Regarding the cross, Kagawa viewed it not merely as a one-time event on Calvary but as emblematic of Jesus' entire ministry. He saw Jesus' journey, filled with persecution and suffering, as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Kagawa understood that following Jesus meant embracing a pathway of suffering, as exemplified by Jesus' own journey. Despite facing severe illnesses and gradually losing his eyesight due to the insanitary conditions of the slum, Kagawa continued to carry his cross, serving the weak and marginalized. His life exemplified the Christlike commitment to selflessly bear the burdens of others.
Suffering, according to Kagawa, served as a means through which God refines and strengthens believers. He likened pain and grief to whips that spur individuals towards growth and development. Kagawa's own experiences of suffering, including the devastating Kanto earthquake of 1923, shaped his understanding of its transformative power. He believed that rather than destroying faith, suffering could deepen and refine it, ultimately leading to greater spiritual maturity and resilience.
Kagawa's reflections on Jesus' crucifixion offer profound insights into the significance of the cross and the nature of suffering. Viewing the cross not as a singular event but as a continuous journey of sacrifice and service, Kagawa understood the central role of suffering in the Christian life. His own experiences of hardship and resilience reinforced his conviction that suffering, far from being a deterrent to faith, could serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth and maturity. Jesus' crucifixion reminded of the enduring relevance of his teachings in our modern world. In an era marked by social injustice and global challenges, Jesus' example calls us to embrace the cross, to bear witness to the transformative power of love, and to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed.
For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most pivotal day in the history of the world. On Good Friday, Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).
CONTEMPLATING JESUS' CRUCIFIXION: INSIGHTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TOYOHIKO KAGAWA-PASTOR JOSEPH SEO
Toyohiko Kagawa is one of the most influential theologians and Christian activists in the modern history of Japan. At the beginning of the twentieth century, while Japan was undergoing industrialization, certain segments of society were neglected. As people suffered and died due to poverty, Kagawa, inspired by his faith in Christ, immersed himself among the marginalized and initiated a ministry to address social injustice and spread the gospel.
In 1909, Kagawa commenced his ministry in Japan's largest slum, where poverty, disease, and crime were rampant. Despite the apparent hopelessness, Kagawa dedicated himself fervently to serving the community. He established his own volunteer organization to provide essential relief and founded schools for children.
After six years in the slum, Kagawa recognized that alleviating poverty required systemic change rather than just meeting immediate needs. In 1914, he pursued further study at Princeton Seminary in the USA, which deepened his vision. Upon returning to Japan, Kagawa expanded his ministry into various areas, including organizing the Japanese Federation of Labor, the National Anti-War League, and worldwide evangelism conferences. Regardless of the scope of his work, Kagawa remained dedicated to serving the vulnerable and glorifying God, devoting his life to Christ.
From Kagawa's meditational writings, I would like to highlight two themes related to Jesus' crucifixion: the significance of the cross and the understanding of suffering.
Regarding the cross, Kagawa viewed it not merely as a one-time event on Calvary but as emblematic of Jesus' entire ministry. He saw Jesus' journey, filled with persecution and suffering, as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Kagawa understood that following Jesus meant embracing a pathway of suffering, as exemplified by Jesus' own journey. Despite facing severe illnesses and gradually losing his eyesight due to the insanitary conditions of the slum, Kagawa continued to carry his cross, serving the weak and marginalized. His life exemplified the Christlike commitment to selflessly bear the burdens of others.
Suffering, according to Kagawa, served as a means through which God refines and strengthens believers. He likened pain and grief to whips that spur individuals towards growth and development. Kagawa's own experiences of suffering, including the devastating Kanto earthquake of 1923, shaped his understanding of its transformative power. He believed that rather than destroying faith, suffering could deepen and refine it, ultimately leading to greater spiritual maturity and resilience.
Kagawa's reflections on Jesus' crucifixion offer profound insights into the significance of the cross and the nature of suffering. Viewing the cross not as a singular event but as a continuous journey of sacrifice and service, Kagawa understood the central role of suffering in the Christian life. His own experiences of hardship and resilience reinforced his conviction that suffering, far from being a deterrent to faith, could serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth and maturity. Jesus' crucifixion reminded of the enduring relevance of his teachings in our modern world. In an era marked by social injustice and global challenges, Jesus' example calls us to embrace the cross, to bear witness to the transformative power of love, and to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and oppressed.