By JD

Read: Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28

And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over,
do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour,
for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:10-11

Relate:
Growing up as a missionary kid, my parents were always focused on unreached people groups, specifically the Tibetan people of Lhasa, China. These people are hard to reach for many reasons, they speak an uncommon language, and most of them are illiterate. Not only is there a language barrier, but geographically they are surrounded by mountains, elevated thousands of feet above every other civilization. For the longest time, few outsiders could even make the trip, and now with the restrictions enforced by the Chinese government, even few seem to be able to. The few Christians there are also persecuted, both by their family and the government. The government wants little to no religion in their country, and any Christian gatherings are heavily monitored and often subject to government raids. Historically the Tibetan people were Buddhist, and many of those families still worship those gods. Buddhism focuses heavily on honoring ancestors and your family, which is a huge part of the culture as well. This adds persecution for new Christians trying to follow Christ, as their parents play on that cultural family emphasis to guilt them for leaving the family religion. Even when an entire family is saved, the culture around them judges them. 

I remember the story of the only local high school Christian in his school system. They had a major test coming up, and the teacher told them all to go to the Buddhist temple and offer sacrifices. This was so the gods would be gracious while they took the test. This young man stood up in front of the class and refused to do so. He told the teacher, “I don’t believe in that, I am a Christian.” Going against the crowd is never easy, especially in high school, a time of tale adolescent development and the desire to be accepted by your peers. Yet that is what Christianity does. It makes people do insane things. Throughout the Bible and recorded history, people have done insane things for Christ. Christ still calls us to do insane things for him, until the day he returns. May that day come quickly Lord.

React:
The amount of unreached people in the world is staggering, about 3.4 billion people have not heard the good news of Jesus. God calls us to go and reach them. He says he will not return till every nation has been ministered to. Trying seems hopeless, however. How can anyone reach 3.4 billion people, most of whom don’t even want to be reached? Even several lifetimes of ministry could not change the statistic of 3.4 billion unreached people. The number will not be changed by an individual. However, the people who are reached, their lives will never be the same. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, a sinner will be saved, and angels will rejoice. The Holy Spirit will guide those who go. He will provide the words for the evangelist. He will change the hearts of those who hear. He will then fill those people with words of their own. God cannot be stopped. His word spreads like wildfire, and even now the 3.4 unreached people are slowly being reached.

Respond:

Dear Lord,
Please give us the opportunity and courage to share the amazing gift you are. Thank you for that gift. We praise you Lord, and ask for an opportunity to pass that on to the world. Let the Holy Spirit guide our speech and lead us where you want us to go, to proclaim your name to the nations.
Amen