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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “The big story: bringing salvation to the ends of the world. The phrase “the big story” means a report about something very important. What is the very important thing being reported? The very important thing being reported is that the Gospel must be preached to the ends of the world for many to be saved.  The end of the world means the remote places on earth. The theme can be understood as “Receiving an important report to evangelise or spread the Gospel or Good News to the remote places on earth” We shall deliberate the question, Who is responsible for sending the message of salvation to the ends of the world?

Beloved in the Lord,who is responsible for sending the message of salvation to the ends of the world? Paul and Barnabas gave us an answer to the question after they had faced opposition from the Jewish leaders in the Synagogue at Antioch. They responded, “…behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so, the Lord had commanded us, saying, “I have made you light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:46-47). This news or revelation was received by the Gentiles as the big story because “…when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region” (Act 13:48-49). Dear friend, like Paul and Barnabas, it is our responsibility as believers and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ to ensure that we bring salvation to the ends of the world through any means possible or available to us. Bringing salvation to the ends of the world has become much easier than it was in the time of Paul and Barnabas. They had to walk long distances and go through turbulent situations amidst oppositions and persecutions to bring salvation to the ends of the world.

In the twenty-first century, we have at our disposal the easiest and more advanced means of transportation and communication, but the question is are we obeying God’s command to bring salvation to the ends of the world? Are we effectively leveraging on technology to reach the ends of the world with the Good News? In the twenty-first century, a mission oriented and Evangelism focused Church must have a fleet of vehicles or motorcycles purposely for transporting evangelists to the remotest areas where paganism or idol worship is still being practiced. Again, there must also be well equipped urban evangelism vehicles to reach out to the unsaved population in the big cities. A mission and evangelism focused church must at least own a radio frequency or station or a television station in the twenty-first century. These are effective ways of bringing Salvation to the ends of the world in our time. The Church must be active on social media by establishing a desk for social media ministry. Paul and Barnabas would have owned smart phones and social media accounts if they were in the twenty-first century. Perhaps they may have raised funds from the churches to purchase a pickup or a car that could transport them from one place to the other so that they can bring salvation to many. Evangelism is a serious venture and a church that invests money into it reaps souls. Again, it is important to mention that all believers have been given the command to bring salvation to the ends of the world. Let us use our smartphones and social media presence to fulfill our calling as disciples and evangelists. Let us remember that “Everyone to whom much was given, of him or her much will be required, and from him or her to whom they entrusted much, they will demand more” (Luke 12:48). In other words, much has been given to the twenty-first century churches, and much has been entrusted to the twenty-first century believers. We have no excuse but to bring salvation to the ends of the world through our manifold blessings.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “The big story: bringing salvation to the end of the world.” We have learned that God has commanded us to bring salvation to the remote place on earth. It is the Church’s most important calling to invest in mission and evangelism to fulfill the command to bring salvation to the ends of the world. Again, all believers or Christians have the divine calling to use any means practicable, especially through our smartphones, to bring salvation to the ends of the world.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, direct and equip the Church to focus on her core mandate of bringing salvation to the ends of the world. Help and strengthen us individually to live a mission and evangelism conscious lives so that we will always use every opportunity granted us to bring salvation to the ends of the world. Amen.