The Universal Language
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
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Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Field Notes
The Universal Language
by Michael E. Brooks
"Come, let us go down and there confuse their
language, that they may not understand one
another's speech" (Genesis 11:7).
"Now all things are of God, who has
reconciled us to Himself through Jesus
Christ, and has given us the ministry of
reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18).
In trying to achieve at least a little competence
in languages beyond English, I have been impressed
with how many shared words there are in the
various tongues. The word "cha" or variations
thereof, will get you a cup of tea in many parts
of Asia. The Latin "pater" (father) is
recognizable in many languages, including some
that are not of the Romance family. There are many
other examples. In spite of different alphabets,
different rules of grammar, different
vocabularies, and other dissimilarities, there is
still much held in common by the world's tongues.
This is comforting to those who must travel in
various nations and cultures and who seek means of
communication. Beyond language, there are
expressions, gestures, and the good old pointed
finger to bridge gaps.
But more than ease of communication, these
commonalities remind us that there are many other
shared bonds between the diverse races and peoples
of the earth. If our languages share words and
rules of expression, so our experiences and our
flesh itself know common ground. We may be
European, Asia, and American, but we are also and,
above all, human. We share needs, desires, and
problems. And we share one loving Father and one
Lord (Ephesians 4:3-6).
Not since Babel have all people spoken the same
tongue. Yet, all can understand the same message.
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells
me so."
Now more than ever we must preach and live the
message of the love of Christ for fallen humanity.
Never have there been so many humans on the earth.
Never has there been so much strife and enmity.
Our problems multiply as a direct result of the
increasing population. Some speculate that we may
one day reach a "critical mass" of population
beyond which peace, stability -- even survival --
is impossible.
Into this expanding crisis comes the same simple
message of God's love and the hope of abundant,
eternal life. This earth is temporary. It will
end, disastrously. Yet this is not our end, or the
end of hope. Jesus is coming again to reclaim his
own, after preparing a place for them.
That is our hope and our message. And that message
meets a need perceived all over this earth, by
people of every race and tongue. It is proclaimed
not just in words of various languages, but also
in the love and faith of those who follow Jesus.
And that can be understood by all.
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