Doug Serven: Iwo Jima

Jesus sits at God’s right hand. He is the one who subdues us to himself, rules over us and defends us from all of his and our enemies.

On December 8, 1944 – the day after Pearl Harbor – American B-29 bombers began bombing the Japanese-occupied island of Iwo Jima. This tiny island was the most strategic target in WWII, because it was the launching pad for American planes to refuel before attacking Japan. For 72 straight days American planes bombed Iwo Jima – setting the record as the most heavily bombed target and longest sustained bombardment in the Pacific War.

Over 5,800 tons of metal and explosives were dropped. In one square mile, a photograph showed over 5,000 bomb craters. Admiral Nimitz thought the bombing was sufficient to pulverize everything on the island and estimated that the total conquest of Iwo Jima would be a two or three day job once the 70,000 Marines landed on the island.

American intelligence concluded that only 13,000 Japanese troops were on the island. What the Americans did not know is that there were over 22,000 Japanese soldiers, who were not affected by the 72 days of bombing, because the Japanese soldiers were not on Iwo Jima – They were in Iwo Jima.

For over a year Japanese General Kuribayashi had transformed Iwo Jima into the most heavily fortified island in the Pacific. He made it into one huge blockhouse 75 feet below the surface – consisting of 3 levels of underground tunnels and 1,500 rooms that were connected to one another – spanning some 16 miles. Iwo Jima was a fortified underground city with walls 3 feet thick & ceilings that were 6 feet thick made of concrete and reinforced steel.

The Japanese knew the significance of this tiny island – so the Emperor sent 22,000 of his best soldiers to stop the Americans so that they could not use the island to attack Japan. Every Japanese soldier knew the island would be his grave. Every soldier had pooled all of their money and shipped it to a treasury in Tokyo – leaving everything behind. General Kuribayashi had instructed his men that it was – “their duty to kill 10 Americans before you die”. In a letter to his wife – the Japanese general said – “I pray for a heroic fight.” By heroic fight, he meant one in which all of his men would die.

Iwo Jima was America’s most heroic battle. More medals for valor were awarded to men who fought in this battle than in any battle in the history of the U.S. The total conquest of Iwo Jima did not take three days – it took almost 37 days. It is estimated that during those 37 days there were 25,851 U.S. casualties & over 12,000 American & Japanese soldiers killed. The battle over Iwo Jima was not won on a large battlefield it was won in the trenches – where victory came – inch by inch, foot by foot, until every Japanese soldier was individually killed or captured.

That’s a great story, but what does it have to do with you and me? Many of us hear about Jesus as king and we think, “Well he’s not doing a very good job. He doesn’t seem to be reigning very well in the world, nor in my own life. His kingship sort of stinks.” You might not be that blunt. But you’re thinking it. There’s a sin you can’t seem to be done with. There are heartaches and disappointments in your life that could have been different. There is evil and suffering the world. Why isn’t Jesus working?

Friends he is. He is on the island, going in room by room, fighting the enemies one by one. It isn’t a two or three day job. Don’t underestimate the battle. It is taking some time. But it is happening. It is working. The enemy is deep underground, buried and fortified in your own heart. But Jesus will get him.

What can you do to help? If you are a part of the army and following Jesus, how can you help him? First you must see and acknowledge him there. Jesus isn’t on a manger any longer. He’s not a baby. Jesus isn’t on the cross any more. They got him down. Where is Jesus? Do you remember when Stephen was being stoned he saw a vision of Jesus? And what was Jesus doing? He was standing at the right hand of God. That’s where he is. The king. Ruling in the place of honor. You and Jesus are not pals. He is God. He is to be honored, confessed, obeyed and worshipped.

You can also discover what this King wants in his kingdom. You do that by reading the Bible and learning as much as you can about him and his kingdom. You do that by praying to him, praying this psalm even, as so many did in the New Testament. You follow the rules, edicts and principles of the kingdom. When you find yourself out of step with the king, you change.

Derek Webb sings this:
My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
It’s to a king and a kingdom

Is that where your first allegiance is? Do you see, worship and follow Jesus as your king?
God treats Jesus in a way that most of us don’t. Certainly our society doesn’t worship or follow Jesus as king. But Christians have and Christians should. Psalm 110 has shaped our thinking of what and who Jesus is.

Doug is the RUF Campus Minister at the University of Oklahoma.