The Second Day to Remember
As he was passing through a train station in early October 1948, a stranger handed Mitsuo Fuchida a pamphlet entitled “I Was a Prisoner of Japan,” by Jacob DeShazer. The story of the American airman’s ordeal and life-changing experience greatly affected the Japanese airman. The parallel between DeShazer’s experience and that of Margaret Covell was amazing. Here was another story of love overcoming hatred, only from a more convincing source. DeShazer was a fellow warrior who had suffered even more than he had because of war. Fuchida purchased a Bible, not to pursue Christianity, but to better understand someone like DeShazer. Fuchida reflected:
His story… was something I could not explain. Neither could I forget it. The peaceful motivation I had read about was exactly what I was seeking. Since the American had found it in the Bible, I decided to purchase one myself, despite my traditionally Buddhist heritage. I read this book eagerly. I came to the climactic drama—the Crucifixion. I read in Luke 23:34 the prayer of Jesus Christ at His death… I was impressed that I was certainly one of those for whom He had prayed. Right at that moment I seemed to meet Jesus for the first time. That date, April 14, 1950—became the second “day to remember” of my life. On that day, I became a new person.68
Fuchida’s life did not become easier because of his conversion. Many of his countrymen accused him of currying favor with the occupation forces. Despite such criticism he joined a Christian evangelical group dedicated to spreading the gospel. Instead of growing bitter and resigned to the cynical attitudes of his fellow countrymen, he spoke boldly before large audiences in Japan and America and, through his faithful service, influenced countless others to meet Jesus for the first time.
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
—Luke 23:34
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
—Colossians 3:13