Until the Whole World . . . and Your Sphere of Influence Hears

By Danny Saavedra

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 (NLT)

You hear what you want to hear. Have you ever heard that? It’s a sentiment expressed when someone is in the habit of twisting people’s words or intentions or emphasizing specific parts of what’s said that most benefit or validate them. I’ve seen people do this with instructions, news stories, and conversations in order to fit their agenda, offer them validation, support their argument, or justify their choices. 

Sadly, I’ve even seen people do this with Scripture, even with the words of Jesus Himself. One of the most prevalent cases of hearing what you want to hear is with the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19 (NIV), which tells us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” 

For some reason, people often forget that last part “of all nations” and simply quote the “go and make disciples” part. But it’s a vital part of Jesus’ instructions to us. It’s something He emphasized several times throughout the Gospels, notably in Mark 16:15 and also in today’s verse. 

The Lord Jesus has given us this directive to arise and go, to take His good news to the very ends of the earth. And this directive in all its fullness is not optional. We don’t have the luxury to hear what we want to hear with it, and we shouldn’t consider this to be a burden. It’s an incredible honor to take the gospel to every nation, and we should see it as nothing less. We get to be used by God to advance His kingdom, grow His family, and ensure that every tribe and tongue is represented in heaven! 

Does this mean you have to abandon everything and move to a remote village in a third world country? No! God has purposed that for some people, but it’s not for everyone. You can still support the work of global missions, giving generously to global mission projects, or advocating for the redemptive work taking place across the globe. 

HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have a part in preaching the kingdom throughout the whole world. As a friend once wrote, “God is seeking ordinary people with missional mindsets, people willing to go.” Go where? Well, where you are right now—your workplace, your favorite stores or restaurants, your neighborhood, your school, gym, the place you get your hair cut, or where you buy your favorite coffee. 

God has you in the places and spaces you are right now in order “to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth’” (Acts 13:47 NLT) before the end comes. Will you answer the call?

Pause: Why is it so important that we remember and embrace the second part of the Great Commission? What does the call to preach the gospel to all nations mean for you personally?

Practice: Pray about how you can do your part to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

Pray: Father, show me how You desire to use me to reach the people around me. Give me the strength, courage, compassion, and wisdom to preach the truth and share the gospel in my sphere. Amen.