"Much Of The World Would Be Covered!" (Matthew 28:19-20)

The two most populous countries in the world are China and India, and their respective languages are Mandarin and English. Spanish is spoken by the majority of nations in Latin America. These three languages could allow communication with at least three billion people, slightly less than half of the world’s population. And this doesn’t even account for the peoples in Europe and Africa which could add another half a billion people who have some facility with at least English or Spanish.

English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.

If one is able to speak these three languages, much of the world would be covered! It would be wonderful to be able to visit and communicate with at least half of the world’s inhabitants. Sharing food, music, culture...this is what travelling is all about. But there is an even more important message to be communicated.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

The Great Commission.

Jesus commands all of His followers to spread the Good News about Him to all nations of the world. To do this, we need to be able to communicate in their native languages. Thus, it is important to support the work of Bible translators. One such organization, Wycliff, states on its website, that as of 2017, the New Testament has been translated into more than 1400 languages and the entire Bible has been translated into more than 600 languages. Yet, it is estimated that there remains at least 1600 languages that still need a Bible translation.

English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. It’s a good start, but there is still much more work to be done. But thanks be to God that He is always with us, to the end of the age!

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.