The Gospel is for everyone

By Pastor Craig Johnson

India, with its 1.4 billion people, is believed to have surpassed China as the most populous nation in the world. It has more than four times as many people as the United States. It is also often regarded as the most religious nation in the world. Fewer than 33,000 people in India claim to be atheists or have no religion.

The country is dominated by Hindus who make up approximately 80 percent of the population. Muslims are 14 percent and Christians are two percent.

I have had the privilege of going three times to India to teach pastors and church leaders of AFLC India. Our sister church body has 56 congregations in India. On my trips there I have also had the privilege of preaching in a few of those congregations.

What do you preach and teach when you are in India? The culture is quite different than ours in the United States. A number of illustrations I use in the U.S. are not understandable to an Indian congregation. They could relate to a cricket illustration if I could come up with one, but I’d strike out if I used a baseball illustration. The means by which the message is presented can, and sometimes should, change. The content of the message we share with the world must not change. Every person in every culture in every nation needs to hear the good news that Jesus died for our sins.

One of the times when the people of Israel complained against the Lord, God sent venomous snakes among them. The people cried out to the Lord to take the snakes away. The Lord told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Anyone who was bitten and looked at the bronze snake lived (Numbers 21:6-9). Jesus said this pointed ahead to Him. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

As the snakes slithered around the people it didn’t matter what the person looked like or what tribe they belonged to. Everyone was getting bitten. Everyone was perishing. Everyone needed to be saved.

Outward appearances also did not matter when it came to being saved. No matter who they were, if they looked at the snake on the pole they lived.

It is the same when it comes to the cross of Christ. Sin has bitten everyone. “There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). The faithful, devout Hindu in India has sinned and fallen short. The Muslim who prays each day in the proper manner and at the required time has still sinned and is falling short. No matter the color of our skin or the language we speak, we are all sinners who need a Savior. We have the same need, and we can have the same hope. Everyone who looks to Jesus, lifted up on the cross, will live.

Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32). The cross is above all the lesser things of life that divide us. The cross is above our differences in background and ethnicity. Christ gave His life on the cross for the sins of all people. The cross draws all people from every culture and every country. “… we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:1-2).

It is popular to think: “Those people have their own religious belief. Let them believe what they want. We’ll believe what we want. We shouldn’t tell them what to believe.”

In villages in India, poor people, whose diet consists of not much more than rice, are suffering greatly from diabetes. Many do not know their diet is threatening their lives. They do not know there is another way. It would be cruel to say, “That’s their culture. Leave them alone.” Caring doctors go to people and tell them: “You are in danger. Let us tell you of another way.” What those doctors do regarding people’s physical condition, we do regarding their souls. We warn of eternal death and we share the good news that Christ and the cross offers life.

The cross is for everybody we meet. Each person in the world is somebody Jesus loves and Jesus died for. The invitation is extended to all: Look to the cross and live.

Johnson, a member of the World Missions Board of Directors, serves Triumph Lutheran, Ferndale, Wash.