Phil Bembower tells the story...
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Phil Bembower tells the story of visiting the Fuchu Maximum Security Prison in Tokyo. As a mission pastor he delivered Bibles for the inmates. The warm reception was more than he anticipated. He was greeted by the warden with tea and formal speeches, and then sent on to the educational director who did the same. Next came a ceremonial dinner. His day did not end until he was given a tour of the prison and then finally "bowed out" with traditional Japanese etiquette.
Bembower commented: "You would have thought I'd brought them the crown jewels."
To those people who are limited or confined in any way the presentation of God's good tidings becomes more precious than even crown jewels. What the prophet Isaiah first proclaimed was used by Jesus to underscore the heart of his mission in the synagogue in Nazareth centuries later.
- Hasler
Bembower commented: "You would have thought I'd brought them the crown jewels."
To those people who are limited or confined in any way the presentation of God's good tidings becomes more precious than even crown jewels. What the prophet Isaiah first proclaimed was used by Jesus to underscore the heart of his mission in the synagogue in Nazareth centuries later.
- Hasler