Japan
Over 10 Thousand. Red Cross estimates of the total number killed by the recent Tsunami in Japan has now exceeded 10,000 people. 70,000 more people are missing. A possible breach in the core of a reactor at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant could mean more serious radioactive contamination, Japanese officials revealed today, as the prime minister called the country's ongoing fight to stabilize the plant "very grave and serious."
Rev. Brad Wordell, WELS' missionary based in Tokyo, and members of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church, WELS' sister synod in Japan, have begun gathering relief supplies for delivery to residents devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11.
Wordell says that on March 28 he and Rev. Takeshi Nidaira, national pastor, will drive a two-ton truck full of essential items such as clothes, bottled water, and batteries to Kesennuma—just north of Sendai, the city virtually wiped out by the tsunami. About one-third of Kesennuma was destroyed. This city of about 75,000 is home to a member of the Japanese church who at first was feared missing in the disaster. It turns out she and her husband were able to flee ahead of the tsunami and their home was spared. This member is now serving as the church's key contact in the region.
Wordell says that as the supplies are delivered, he and Nidaira will look for opportunities to talk with residents and offer comfort. "We want to tell them we're Christians and that we care," he adds. He expresses appreciation on behalf of church members for the thoughts, prayers, and gifts from their brothers and sisters in faith in WELS.
While aid pours in from all over to help Japanese during this tragedy, perhaps you are wondering why something like this could happen. These are tough questions. The why question is pretty difficult to ascertain.
Jesus didn’t shy away from tough questions. Consider what he says in Matthew 24:
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
The lesson as we see these signs of the end continue to repeat is simple: be ready. We live in a sinful world. Due to the devil bringing sin and death into this world, everything is tainted, cracked and broken. But events such as the tsunami in Japan remind us that Jesus will return. We are encouraged, even in times of tragedy, knowing that these are signs from a sin-touched world that the day of Jesus’ return has just gotten closer by one more event, one more day, one more sign.
Reconciling the concept of a loving God with catastrophic events is challenging at times like these. Job struggled with the same question and reasoned “shall we accept blessing from God an not trouble?” The truths we can cling to is the lesson of these signs: Be ready. Christians live every day as if it were their last—giving careful attention to our relationship with Him as well as each other. God cares for us and will bring us through every hardship we face, strengthening us and drawing us closer to him.
In the face of the disaster in Japan, please pray for those whose lives will be changed forever. Pray for their souls, that each person may go to the Lord for help and support during a time such as this. You also have an opportunity to use this opportunity to re-evaluate your priorities in the coming light of Christ’s glorious return. The day will come when Jesus comes again. Be ready.
Prayer idea: Ask God for a renewed appreciation for his act of saving you and assurance of sins forgiven and a future without end when he comes again.
Have a blessed week!
--Pastor Dan