Why are we going to Japan?

When we think of Japan we see a fast moving, hi-tech country, with much material wealth and a rich and ancient culture. This surely raises the question, “why are we going?”

The answer is given in the bible; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Behind this statement lies the fact that, left to its own devices, the world is perishing. The bible teaches that all people have rejected the God who made them, refusing to live with Him as the rightful ruler of their lives. This means that we all deserve to “perish,” to be cut off from God for eternity.

However, this verse shows us the wonderful message of Christianity, that in His great love and mercy, God “gave his one and only son,” Jesus Christ. The bible tells us that Jesus died an innocent death on a cross, taking on Himself all the punishment that we justly deserve for rejecting God, before rising from the dead to prove that our rebellion can be forgiven and that we can have new life.

This means that “whoever believes in him,” whoever trusts in Jesus’ death on the cross and accepts him as their Saviour and God, will be rescued from the terrible situation that we have got ourselves into, and instead of death will receive “eternal life.”

The verse also reminds us that “God so loved the world…” that this great news of what Jesus has done for us, this offer of peace with God, is relevant and necessary for everyone, everywhere, regardless of race or nationality.

So this is why we are going to Japan this summer. This verse shows us that the most important thing that anyone will ever do is to believe in Jesus – the stakes could not be higher. Therefore, the most loving thing that we can do as Christians, is to give people, all over the world, the opportunity to hear what Jesus has done for us, and to investigate for themselves the truth and significance of his claims.