On February 5, l597, atop a hill in Nagasaki, Japan, 26 individuals ranging from 12 to 64 years of age were stretched out and crucified upon crudely built crosses. This slaughter marked the beginning of a nearly 250-year nightmare that decimated the Christian church in Japan--which at that time, according to A History of the Christian Church in Japan by Dr. Richard Drummond, was "the largest single organized religious community within the nation." Today only about three Japanese in a thousand claim to be Christians.
Five children ranging in age from 12 to 19 were among those killed on February 5.
Ibaragi Kun from Kyoto-at 12 years of age the youngest of the group--from Kyoto was admired until the end for his remarkable courage in the face of death.
Shortly after they were led to the place of their execution, an official came to him and begged him to recant his faith. Young Ibaragi Kun looked his tormentor squarely in the eye and replied, "Sir, it would be better if you yourself became a Christian and could go to heaven where I am going. Sir, which is my cross?"
The stunned official pointed to the smallest of the crosses on the hill. Ibaragi Kun ran forward knelt in front of his cross and embraced it like a friend. Along with the others he sang praises until he could sing no more.
He embraced his cross! Overcoming fear, this twelve year old expressed the reality and depth of faith in Christ Jesus! I wonder what effect his faith and faithfulness had upon the officials who placed him on the cross? Can you imagine a twelve year old taking his stand for Jesus? What was it like for these officials to watch this little boy bravely suffer the immense pain of crucifixion? What could they see in Ibaragi's and the others eyes as they died for One whom they had never seen? Where they expected to see defeat hatred bitterness and retaliation they saw faith hope and love.