EKO KANO was a young priest of a very strict sect of Buddhists. Despite the strict rules that were enforced upon him, when he heard about a Christian who was preaching in Kyoto, Japan, he went to hear him. He was curious to know what the Christian had to say.
Mr. Kimura, the gospel preacher, spoke that night about the prodigal son. Luke 15 tells the story of a young man who left his father’s home to go out into the world. He wanted to have a good time and to be away from the restraint of his parents. For a while things went well for him although he was living a wicked life. Soon all his money was gone and he could hardly get work to earn more.
Finally, the young prodigal remembered the fine home from which he had come and he decided to go back to see if he could work for his father. He thought that his father would surely no longer take him in as his son. But to his great surprise, when he was still some distance away the father saw him and ran to meet him and to welcome him home. Despite his bad life and his dirty and worn out clothing, the father hugged his son, kissed him, and made a big welcome party.
This story is in the Bible to help us understand how God looks for those who have rebelled against Him and tried to run away from Him. But God welcomes lost, wicked prodigals who will admit that they are sinners and deserve to go to hell for their sins. And, dear reader, His arms are open to welcome you to Himself.
Eko Kano heard that thrilling story and after the meeting he went to Mr. Kimura and said he was anxious to come to the Lord Jesus, and to know Him as his personal Saviour. How happy the preacher was to tell more about Jesus and to explain God’s way of salvation through faith in Christ. Mr. Kimura showed Eko Kano other verses that tell of God’s love for sinners. The young man believed what God says in the Bible and owned that he was a lost sinner. He took Jesus as his Saviour right there.
The following night he was again at the gospel meeting, full of joy and peace. At the close of the meeting he stood up and said, “Many years I have longed for peace, but I could not find it in the teachings of Buddha. I thank God for what I have found here. God has pardoned all my sins and accepted me as His child. What a wonderful thing this is. I cannot describe what it is to be a child of God, but you too can know it if your sins are washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ.”
Memory Verse: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
ML-05/19/1963