Shameful Trampling of the Fumie
"Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot?" (Hebrews 10:29)
April 17
The Fumie was a diabolical device created by the terrified government of Japan seeking to eradicate Christianity from their shores. This was a brass image of Jesus Christ attached to a board that all people in Japan were forced to trample on in front of their community as a sign of their rejection of Christ. No one was exempt from this regulation, even sick and elderly were forced to participate. Those who refused this practice faced extreme forms of torture and humiliation. Thousands of Christians were murdered in horrendous ways for refusing to deny Christ during this time of severe persecution. The early Romans had instituted similar regulations, but the resolve of Christ’s followers at that time was so powerful that the persecution only served to magnify the validity of the gospel leading to significant growth of the Church during this time in the Roman empire. In Japan, though many were killed, most Christian’s capitulated to this regulation. In a culture that exalted honor so highly, the threat of such humiliation was to them a fate worse than death. It is not surprising that the gospel witness was significantly strangled in the nation. To this day the Church in Japan has not recovered from these days of severe persecution. Many Japanese Christians reasoned it was better to pretend to capitulate their faith, while maintaining their faith in secret than to offer their lives on the altar of suffering. Worldly institutions will attempt to force us to capitulate our faith in Christ. Modern forms of the Fumie are presented in our days in more subtle forms. The progressive degeneration of culture promises to further degrade the resolve of Christ’s followers in every way possible. The scriptures offer us this undeniably clear warning, it is better to suffer for Christ than to compromise. To be shamed by the world for the sake of Christ is the highest honor for Christ’s followers for He has taught us, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) Let us repent from every form of capitulation to corruptions of culture and government as we appeal to the highest government of heaven for our vindication. The Holy Spirit will grant you the strength necessary to endure the despised shame this world will heap upon you if you will but hold your attention on the hope of heaven. Renewal and revival may come to the Church once again through such trying seasons, but only if we are willing to stand steadfast in our refusal to trample the Son of God underfoot.
Daily Prayer
Honorable sufferer of my shame,
worldly temptations have enticed me to dishonor you
through forbidden pleasures and threats of persecution.
You have faced torturous humiliation and have
overcome the forces of this world that I may receive
courage to stand against all forms of compromise.
Strengthen my resolve to refuse to capitulate to
any mandate that is dishonorable to your name and
to forego any participation in ungodly amusements.