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Waiting
for the Master
The
Tokyo Traveler states: “If you ever make plans to
meet someone in Shibuya [Japan] there is a good chance
that they will suggest meeting at the Hachiko statue.
Located in a plaza just outside the station you will
find an unassuming statue of an Akita dog named
Hachiko whose story and memory is beloved by the
people of Tokyo and throughout Japan.”
Hachiko
arrived in Tokyo in 1924 with his owner, Hidesamurō
Ueno, an agricultural professor at the University of
Tokyo. Each
day he saw Ueno off to work and met him at the Shibuya
train station upon his return. But one day in 1925,
Ueno did not return home from work because he died.
For
the next ten years after Ueno’s death – until his
own death in 1935 – Hachiko returned to the station
each evening to await the arrival of the train that
his master rode. While some people at the station
initially thought that Hachiko was just roaming
around, they soon came to realize that he was waiting
for his dead owner, and they nicknamed the dog Chuken
(faithful dog).
After
his lifeless body was found one afternoon waiting for
his master’s train, his obituary was run in the
newspaper, his body stuffed and placed on display, and
a statue of him planted in his spot, keeping the
vigil. During World War II the statue was melted down
for the war effort. But in 1947, the public, still
loyal to Hachiko’s memory, erected a new bronze
statue of him alongside the tracks. It remains there
as a monument today as people continue to join him,
waiting for loved ones.
You
and I can learn a lot from the birds of the air
(Matthew 6:26), the lillies of the field (Matthew
6:28), and even from a dog named Hachiko....
The
most profound lesson that we learn from Hachiko is to
faithfully await the return of the Master -- the
Savior Jesus Christ!
Jesus,
the Son of God, left heaven and “dwelt among us”
to open the way to heaven.
He died on the cross for our sins so that we
can go to heaven one day (John 14:6).
After his sacrificial death, Jesus rose from
the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4),
then He ascended back to heaven (Acts 1).
But one day, the Living Savior will return to
judge the world (Acts 17:30-31).
“Christ
was sacrificed ONCE
to take away the sins of many people; and He will
appear a SECOND TIME, not to bear sin, but to bring
salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews
9:28).
The
Good News is that we can so prepare ourselves that
Jesus’ return will not be one of fearful
condemnation but joyful salvation.
For Jesus will bring salvation to those who believe
Him (Acts 16:30-31), have turned from sin in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confessed
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), been baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38),
and have continually waited faithfully for His return
(2 Peter 3:9-18).
When
Jesus returns, will He find YOU faithfully waiting?
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
*
Information gleaned from The Tokyo Traveler -- http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/hachiko-symbolizes-loyalty-in-shibuya/
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