but not for everyone.
Dropping atomic bombs on two Japanese cities brought a halt to hostilities between Japan and the United States. Official Japanese surrender quickly followed. However, on scattered islands in the Pacific Ocean, small pockets of Japanese soldiers either did not know or did not believe that Japan had surrendered; for them, the war was definitely not over.
When Japan deployed Lieutenant Hiro Onoda to the Philippine island of Lubang in December 1944, he was given orders to disrupt and sabotage enemy efforts — and to never surrender or take his own life. He was 22 years old.
He was a man who followed orders.
Despite attempts over the years by the Japanese government to convince him that he should surrender, he refused to accept the good news that the war was over. He had not received any new orders from his commanding officer ... therefore, he would follow the orders he had.
Rather than believe the sound of human footfalls meant good news, Lieutenant Onoda assumed just the opposite. Every sound could be the enemy. In his view, he had to defend himself against any encroachment. Shots were fired. Lives ended. It was only when, in 1974, his former commanding officer was flown to the island and formerly delivered new orders to him that Lieutenant Onoda surrendered.
He had been at war for 30 years.
In this week's Lectionary selection from Romans, Paul quotes Isaiah 52 when he writes, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" On the surface, and in the context of his previous statements, Paul is calling for people to spread the good news of Jesus. He argues that people cannot call on a Lord of whom they know nothing; that they cannot have heard of Him unless someone proclaims Him; and that He cannot be proclaimed if no one is sent out to spread that good news.
But, Isaiah raises the question (and Paul repeats it), "Who has believed our message?" People may be sent, proclamations voiced, and the Lord made known throughout the world ... but if those who are on the receiving end do not believe that what they hear constitutes good news ... well, they may emulate Lieutenant Onoda and refuse to come in from the cold.
Like Elijah in another of this week's scriptures, Lieutenant Onoda was given new orders: they were life-changing. The trajectory of the remainder of his life was significantly different from the previous decades. But it took new orders to make that happen. When we humans "dig in" to a belief, it is very difficult to change. It is only when the message comes coupled with what we recognize as a higher power that we are willing to set aside our "old way" and become something entirely new.
Paul was exactly that way before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus; he wouldn't surrender without new orders ... and he got them. It's not irony that Paul struggled with this exact matter in his attempts to reach his fellow Jews with the Good News ... he faced an entrenched belief that the "good news" was anything but.
Our takeaway: If, when you deliver your good news, it is rejected, don't be discouraged. People often reject change that seems to conflict with their existing structure ... especially if it sounds like they may have to "surrender." Instead of giving up, reach out to God; pray on their behalf.
New orders may be needed.
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Photo: Retired Japanese Major Yoshimi Taniguchi (Right), the person who issued the original orders to Lieutenant Hiro Onoda, reads new orders in 1974 instructing the Lieutenant to surrender after 30 years in the Philippine jungle.
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 14 (19) (August 13, 2017)
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
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Lectionary Breakfast is truly a "stand down" experience. We leave our concerns for a while and just enjoy some time, together. Join us Friday morning for food, fellowship, and some time in God's word. We meet in the back function room at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant (in the retail center behind the Outback Steakhouse ... corner of New Road and Franklin). We start at 8:00 ... visiting and laughter are both on the menu :-)
Blessings,
Steve
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