When we arrived at the lecture hall [in the prison], around 900 were gathered. The chaplain introduced and I began to preach. As I spoke about “Jesus, the friend of sinners,” many seemed moved and I could see tears in the eyes of some.
At the close of the chapel meeting, we announced the start of a Bible study and 567 stayed to attend. At the end of the study, when Mr. Kimura exhorted them, “If you have decided to believe in the Lord, then raise your hand,” all except 17 or 18 raised their hands.”
This was recorded by Sakamoto Naohiro in 1907 about the fifth mission to Tokachi Prison in Hokkaido. Naohiro, the main preacher in the Tokachi prison revival, is a key figure in the history of Christianity in Hokkaido.
It was a dangerous and sacrificial work. Roads and railways stopped a long way from the prison, and Naohiro, travelled great distances across rough terrain to get there, even horse-drawn sledge through blizzards in the winter. Naohiro and his co-workers (including both Japanese pastors and American missionaries) were determined that the gospel should reach these prisoners at all costs.
The love of God is a huge theme in Naohiro’s life and motivated him to seek the good, especially the eternal good, of all people. He was a man of prayer and also devoted himself to preaching the Bible’s message clearly, directly and unashamedly.
Revival is always a sovereign work of God, but he does seem to especially delight to bring revival in the context of fervent prayer, bold preaching, confession of sin, and love for the lost. Naohiro was no perfect saint; he was easily discouraged and his family life was far from exemplary. But he loved the Lord, he believed in the power of the gospel and the love of God for all men, and the Lord richly used him.
In the context of today’s Japan where gospel work is slow and hard, I am encouraged to remember that the God of today is the same God who 100 years ago brought hope to so many in the Tokachi prison. I am also reminded that the gospel remains “the power of God . . . to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16 NIV) and to think of all those around me who have never yet heard about Jesus. I am challenged about my half-hearted prayer life.
May the love of Christ also compel us to proclaim the gospel to all people, and may many experience his mercy, grace, and salvation.
By John, an OMF missionary
Adapted from this article: https://japanharvest.org/tokachi-prison-revival/
