Paora Te Uita The Gospel of Peace

Early Christian theologian Tertullian once wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The statement was true in his day, and it remains true today.

In 1835, in the midst of a series of wars among an indigenous Polynesian people group called the M?ori, a Christian mission was established in the North Island of New Zealand. Attending the mission’s school was a girl named T?rore, the daughter of a M?ori tribal chief, Ng?kuku. One day, the missionaries gave T?rore a copy of the Gospel of Luke translated into her own language. The small book was treasured by T?rore and kept in a basket around her neck.

But as the violent battles increased, T?rore and the other students were evacuated to Wairere Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand, where they made camp for the night. That night, warriors from another tribe attacked the camp. In the ensuing chaos, 12-year-old T?rore was killed and her precious book stolen.

Ng?kuku’s tribe was furious; revenge was the only option. But Ng?kuku did not agree. He had learned about the God of the Bible and believed that vengeance belonged to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35). And so, in an unprecedented act of mercy, nothing was done. There was, for once, peace.

Meanwhile, Paora Te Uita returned to his village. His band of warriors had recently raided a camp near Wairere Falls; in his hand was T?rore’s Gospel of Luke. But of what use was it? None of them could read anyway.

Then one day, a visitor arrived in Uita’s village who could read. So the visitor was given the stolen volume and from it read the beautiful words of inspiration. And Uita began to change. He realized that what he had done—the murders, the thefts, his very way of life—was wrong. He sorrowed deep in his heart; he knew what he must do next. He made his way to the village of his enemy and asked for Ng?kuku’s forgiveness. And Ng?kuku granted that forgiveness. There was even a church built in honor of the deed.

But that was not all for T?rore’s little book. Her spilt blood carried it all the way to the South Island, where it eventually helped to spread the gospel of peace to the whole of New Zealand.

Reflect: Have you been zealous that someone gets his or her just reward? Does your opinion change when you remember Christ’s death for you?

Key Bible Texts

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:18 KJV)