When I get to heaven, I’m planning to have some “words” with Nimrod. You know Nimrod, the “mighty hunter before the Lord” in Genesis 10. One of the first centers of his kingdom was Babylon in the plains of Shinar. Back then there was only one language. But something that was good turned into something that was bad, the Tower of Babel. You know the rest…

So here we are, thousands of years later, with estimates of over 6000 languages spoken in 200 countries. This has, without a doubt, made the missionary task of “reaching the nations” a difficult one. Missionaries spend years pouring over language lessons, study notes, flash cards and recorded dialogues. Language learning can be tough, discouraging and exhausting! Thanks a lot Nimrod!

And yet, the challenge of language learning presents one of the most powerful ways to communicate God’s love. I love you so much that I took the time and paid the price because I want to communicate an incredibly important message to you in YOUR language.

Jesus’ model of incarnation set the precedent for language learning. We didn’t have to learn a heavenly language to get to know our Creator. He learned ours and then taught us His: The Language of Love.

Paul said, “Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.” 1 Cor. 14: 10-11.

The message of Christ is not a “foreign”, “western” or “white man’s” message. But unless I communicate that message in the heart language of the nation to which I am sent, I and the message will remain “foreign.” Grasping the language removes the foreignness of the message and gives people the opportunity to truly understand it’s meaning.

Christine and I are learning our fourth language. We began learning French in January, 1998 and to this day are still studying languages! It’s hard and requires a lot of persistence, tenacity and patience. It also puts us continually in a humbling and sometimes humiliating place. But the ability to share the Good News directly to the hearts of the Beninois, Togolese or Rwandese demonstrates the sincere and deep love we have in our hearts for them.

Yes, I’m going to have some words with Nimrod. Thank you Nimrod for providing us a powerful way to communicate God’s love to the nations.