Go: A 40-Day Journey To The Never ReachedSample

Perishable

By: Bryan Webb

“Go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:7 ESV).

Easter morning, an angel met Mary. Following the stunning announcement “He has risen,” the angel commanded ,“Go Quickly.” 

Have you ever poured milk that instead of flowing in an arc yields clumps? A sniff reveals a foul odor. The problem? Black ink spells out: Best by… 

Examine yourself: you’ll find no tattooed date. Still, “everyone has to die,” (Hebrews 9:27 MSG). All have an expiration date. 

Every person you meet will live forever.  You have a moment to influence their eternity. 

One day will be the last day to tell them about Jesus. It’s true of your neighbors and the two billion never-reached. This gives incredible urgency to going quickly. 

As a college student, I worked full-time while pioneering a church. I worked with a friendly, outgoing young man with an easy smile and a quick wit, John. One day he remarked, “Bryan, I’ve tried everything. Something’s missing. I’m ready to try Jesus. Could you come over on Saturday, explain things to me?”

What an opportunity! “Of course.” 

Saturday, I faced a crisis at church. The day passed, I didn’t go. Monday I apologized profusely. He brushed it off. “No prob.” “But, this Sat?” he asked.

“Of course,” I promised. 

For three weeks, I didn’t go. At work, I apologized. I promised: “Next Saturday. I’m crazy busy. You understand.”

John smiled. “Sure, when you can.” 

The next Monday, no John. Tuesday, no John. His friends became concerned.

One went to check. A cryptic note hung on a locked door. Feeling ominously, he forced the door to discover John had taken his life. 

I think of John often. If only I’d gone quickly. If only I had one more chance—but I don’t. 

You understand our harvest? It’s perishable. We must go, tell today. Tomorrow? May be too late. 

Go Quickly!

If you’re having trouble distinguishing between the urgent and the important in your life, consider this: If at the end of this week you were going to face God give an account of your work, how would you spend your time? What would be most important to God?

Pray

Never reached People Group: The Tausug of the Philippines

Ask God for a spiritual breakthrough among the Tausug that would dispel centuries of spiritual darkness with the light of the gospel.