December 7, 1941 is a date that has been embedded in the minds of my father's and my generation, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. However, there's another date that most have forgotten, but what happened on that day changed lives in a more dramatic way than history books will ever tell. The date was March 18, 1942, the day that as Ted Lawson's story depicts, the U.S. spent "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo", a retaliation for the December surprise attack.
On March 18th 16 planes carrying 80 men set out to bomb several targets in Japan. Of the 16 planes only one would land safely. All but 11 of the crew were rescued. The last plane to take off from the deck of the USS Enterprise whose mission was to bomb Nagoya was one of the two ill-fated flights. Two of it's crew would be executed and the other three would become prisoners of war for the next three and a half years. The bombardier on this particular plane was one of only 3 non-officers in the attack, Cpl. Jacob D. DeShazer.
Jake would spend the next 40 months of his life experiencing the horrors of the Japanese prisoner of war camp. He would listen to his comrades being tortured and face the cruelty of the guards himself. His hatred for the Japanese only increased as each day passed. Just 3 months prior when he had heard of the bombing at Pearl Harbor his reaction was a deep desire to seek revenge. Now he was in the midst of his enemies.
Then in 1944 one of the prisoners requested a Bible. The Japanese easing a little because of the way the war was proceeding gave them one Bible to share. Since Jake was not an officer he'd be the last to have a chance to read it. Then for three weeks he was able to read from it over and over. It was at that time that he kept reading about forgiveness and your enemies. As he read it he came to the conclusion that it was wrong for him to carry around the hate he had for his captors. He made up his mind right then that he was going to do two things. First, he begin treating his captors with more respect and rid his life from the hatred that grew inside. Second, when the war was over and he returned home he'd go to seminary and return to Japan to teach the people about what he had learned of Jesus Christ.
He kept his word. He began to treat the guards differently and in return they began to treat him with more respect. He even began to share stories of their families. When he returned home after the war he kept his promise, went to seminary and returned to Japan to share the Gospel.
I recently heard someone make the statement "How much do you have to hate someone before you won't help them?" Hate often stands in the way of our doing good for others. Until we learn to forgive our hearts will never be right with God. Until we learn to forgive we can never heal our wounds. Jesus wrote in Matthew 6:15 that if we don't forgive others their sins the God will not forgive us of ours.
Hate for man and the love of Jesus cannot dwell in the same heart. It's impossible. It is only through the power of forgiveness that men can be drawn together.
BUT WAIT! The story is not over. In a few days "From Pearl Harbor to Calvary - Part II"
On March 18th 16 planes carrying 80 men set out to bomb several targets in Japan. Of the 16 planes only one would land safely. All but 11 of the crew were rescued. The last plane to take off from the deck of the USS Enterprise whose mission was to bomb Nagoya was one of the two ill-fated flights. Two of it's crew would be executed and the other three would become prisoners of war for the next three and a half years. The bombardier on this particular plane was one of only 3 non-officers in the attack, Cpl. Jacob D. DeShazer.
Jake would spend the next 40 months of his life experiencing the horrors of the Japanese prisoner of war camp. He would listen to his comrades being tortured and face the cruelty of the guards himself. His hatred for the Japanese only increased as each day passed. Just 3 months prior when he had heard of the bombing at Pearl Harbor his reaction was a deep desire to seek revenge. Now he was in the midst of his enemies.
Then in 1944 one of the prisoners requested a Bible. The Japanese easing a little because of the way the war was proceeding gave them one Bible to share. Since Jake was not an officer he'd be the last to have a chance to read it. Then for three weeks he was able to read from it over and over. It was at that time that he kept reading about forgiveness and your enemies. As he read it he came to the conclusion that it was wrong for him to carry around the hate he had for his captors. He made up his mind right then that he was going to do two things. First, he begin treating his captors with more respect and rid his life from the hatred that grew inside. Second, when the war was over and he returned home he'd go to seminary and return to Japan to teach the people about what he had learned of Jesus Christ.
He kept his word. He began to treat the guards differently and in return they began to treat him with more respect. He even began to share stories of their families. When he returned home after the war he kept his promise, went to seminary and returned to Japan to share the Gospel.
I recently heard someone make the statement "How much do you have to hate someone before you won't help them?" Hate often stands in the way of our doing good for others. Until we learn to forgive our hearts will never be right with God. Until we learn to forgive we can never heal our wounds. Jesus wrote in Matthew 6:15 that if we don't forgive others their sins the God will not forgive us of ours.
Hate for man and the love of Jesus cannot dwell in the same heart. It's impossible. It is only through the power of forgiveness that men can be drawn together.
BUT WAIT! The story is not over. In a few days "From Pearl Harbor to Calvary - Part II"
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