David writes: 'For Japanese people the way that things are done is all important. In fact, it’s so ingrained in the culture that many aspects of Japanese culture are called “the way of…”. For example, Japanese calligraphy is Shodo - “the way of writing”, flower arranging is kado - “the way flowers” and Judo can be translated as “the gentle way”. But there is one Way that influences Japan above all others, Shinto – “the way of the gods”. If you go to Japan you’ll see in every town and city, and even dotted around the countryside large red gates. These are torii and they all have the same shape, two vertical pillars and two horizonal beams at the top painted red, and a thin roof, usually black, on top. Some torii are small, some are large, they can stand on their own, or with others that create a kind of tunnel. But they all have the same function, they are the entrance to a Shinto shrine. For Japanese it’s more than that, they represent the divide between the unclean world and the clean, between the mundane world and holy. For many Japanese this is the entrance to what their lives are built on. But here’s the strange thing, most Japanese would tell you that they aren’t religious. And in day-to-day life you would be hard pressed to see anything overtly religious in the average Japanese person’s life. But it’s there, under your feet. The way of the gods has become the cultural bedrock of Japanese society. Japanese aren’t religious, but they’ll all go to a shrine on New Year’s Day. Japanese aren’t religious, but a company might have a meeting where the employees pray for financial success in the coming year. Japanese aren’t religious, but they’ll take part in a festival where an idol is paraded through their town. The Japanese aren’t religious, except for when they are being Japanese.'David and his family are nurturing friendships in Japan and sharing the good news that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6 )
David writes: 'Today is an important day for our neighbours the Mori family. It’s a bright autumn morning in 2023 and a car pulls up outside the remains of their house. For the last few weeks, the old house opposite us has been torn down and cleared away. Thankfully though, this situation is not the result of an earthquake. No, the Mori family are building a new home and today the first worker appears on the construction site. But this worker doesn’t wear a hardhat or a fluorescent jacket, instead he has a briefcase and is wearing a long robe. This person is a priest from the local Shinto shrine. A representative of Japan’s traditional religion and he’s there to purify the land and invoke blessings for the new house that will be built there. Standing in the middle of the empty building site the priest sets up a small, temporary shrine and begins his work. As he recites the blessing liturgy, he scatters salt on the ground. The priest is there for only a few minutes before he leaves but for the average Japanese person, he has done something very important. For the Mori family he has blessed the ground that they will build their house, and their home, on. A few months later the house is complete, the construction equipment has been removed and the family moves in. And the family starts this new chapter of their life built on the prayers, and salt, of a Shinto priest.'David and his family are in Japan building relationships and sharing the good news that Jesus is the only true foundation for our lives.
'My friend struggled with the zip of her suitcase. ‘I’ve got a souvenir from Switzerland for you. I do hope it hasn’t got squashed!’ Fortunately it wasn’t. It turned out to be a Swiss Easter delicacy – a cake in the shape of what I instantly recognized to be a lamb! Far too cute to be cut into with a knife, but delicious when I eventually bowed to temptation. I had never heard of Easter lamb cakes before. But actually, they are far more meaningful symbols of Jesus’ death and resurrection than the more common Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. His death on the cross is predicted in these words from the book of Isaiah.He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.In the New Testament Jesus is described as ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’ My Easter lamb cake became a wonderful reminder that Jesus stood in my place at the cross taking the wrath of God upon himself in order that I might be forgiven and come into an intimate, close relationship with my Creator and Father God. Do click on the link below if you would like to read more about the significance of the phrase ‘the Lamb of God.’By Revd. Miriam Davis
Got questions about life and the Christian faith? Why not join a small group looking at the topics below.Every Tuesday evening starting April 9th 2024 for six weeks at 7:45pm for about an hour (refreshments from 7:30pm). In our church office. All warmly welcome.- What’s life all about and where are we going?- Does God exist and what is He like?- Why is the world in such a mess?- Who was Jesus, and is He relevant?- What does Jesus’ death on the cross mean for me today?- How far can I go forward with God in my life?Each session involves video clips, group discussion and time for reflection and is free to attend. Contact the church office for booking or more details.
