Soon after Japan was opened to the gospel, a Buddhist priest named Yohoi was present at a great ecclesiastical function in Niigata. A discussion sprang up among the priests there assembled as to the most effectual methods of attacking and thus hindering the spread of Christianity. Yohoi contended that in order to oppose it successfully, each priest must study its doctrines personally, and become fully acquainted with them. To encourage others in practicing what he had advised, he went direct from the conference and purchased a New Testament for himself, which he diligently studied for several months. The result? He became convinced of the divine origin and character of its contents, and of his own sinfulness and need of a Savior.
A few days later he handed in his resignation to the chief priest, saying he could no longer serve under him. Returning to his northern temple, he gave up his charge and set off to Tokyo, a distance of 180 miles, which he traveled on foot. Arriving at the capital in deep anxiety of soul, through reading in the New Testament, he sought out a Scotch Christian missionary. To him he unburdened the state of his mind. A fuller knowledge of God, His holiness, His justice and His righteous judgment only plunged him into deeper distress and soul trouble. So intense was his conviction of sin that he despaired of being saved, and was tempted by Satan, the great adversary, to throw the Book of God away and return to idolatry.
When we see men of more intelligence and enlightenment turn their backs upon God, and close their ears against His Word, which disturbs them in their sins, we need not wonder that this man, just emerging out of the dense darkness of heathendom, was thus tempted. But he continued to read the Word of God, and the entrance of that Word gave him light.
In deep distress, burdened with a sense of sin before God, he took up the New Testament to read it, and his eyes fell upon the words of Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28), spoken by the Lord Jesus: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
These wonderful words, so full of grace and tenderness, attracted him greatly. He read them over many times, slowly musing upon each word, and then committed them to memory. All through the silent hours of that night he lay awake. He thought of them, he pondered them, he believed them. His heart became lightened; he experienced the "rest" of which the words speak, and then and there Yohoi was saved and knew it.
He did not hide his light, but confessed Jesus as his Savior and his Lord. He ever after delighted to tell of these words, which were used in leading him to Jesus who gave rest to his troubled soul, and by whose precious blood he was cleansed from sin and set on the heavenly road.
Reader, you are no heathen! You have been born in a land of gospel light and gospel preaching. You have heard of Jesus the Savior, and His ability and willingness to save us; but have you, like Yohoi, the Buddhist priest, been convicted of sin and converted to God? Have you accepted Christ as your personal and only Savior?
Mere knowledge will not save you. There must be appropriation—definite, personal appropriation of Him as your Savior. And then, as the word of God declares, so you will prove it.