Hearts that burn

Hearts that BurnAlysa Sharp

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Over 2,000 years ago, there was a man whose words brought life. It was hard not to notice him as he went from town to town, teaching, healing, setting them free from spiritual darkness, and inviting them to follow him. He had a group of close followers called disciples who observed everything he did for three years, learning from him and following in his footsteps so closely that the dust from his feet would be upon them.

One day, he was crucified, despite being innocent. Even the Roman leaders found him innocent and wanted to release him, but the people, influenced by their religious leaders, chanted “Crucify him, crucify him!” He died and was placed in a tomb, leaving his disciples with the question, “Now what?” They had given up everything to follow him, and now he was dead. On the third day, some women who followed him went to the tomb and found it empty. A messenger from heaven was there and told them, “He is not here, he has risen! Go and tell the others what you have seen!” They ran to the disciples, and one ran to the tomb and found their account to be true. 

That same day, two of his disciples were walking on a road called Emmaus discussing everything that had happened. As they were talking he drew near and walked with them. They did not recognize him at first, but he revealed the fulfillment of the scriptures written about him. Their eyes were opened, and they said, “Did not our hearts burn within us as he revealed the truth of the scriptures?” They shared what had happened on the road with the other disciples, as they were talking about these things he stood among them again, explaining everything written about him in the scriptures and telling them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations, starting with Jerusalem. He said, “You are witnesses of these things. I am sending what my Father has promised, so stay here until you have been equipped with power from above.” (Luke 24:46-49) 

Who was this man? His name is Jesus, and is the Son of God and these men, whom he called carried the message revealed from the scriptures by Jesus to the nations, and today we are a part of that story, the narrative first spoken. However, many are unable to know the truth of the Gospel because either no one has gone to tell them, or the Scriptures haven’t been translated into their language. Nonetheless, there is a movement happening around the world specifically in oral Bible translation (OBT), where today there are over 800 oral Bible translation projects underway so that people may receive the revelation of the Truth that can and will set them free.

Recently there was an Oral Bible Translation gathering in Indonesia. During this time our hearts were stirred to continue the work first carried out by Jesus’ disciples to the nations. Yet, the deeper beauty is that this isn’t the work of one individual, organization, or man's vision. It is a vision from the Lord meant to be fulfilled by His Body, His Bride. What we celebrated together was the beauty of Christ’s Body coming together, empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to go and give away what we have been freely given. Not for some task, or checklist, or accomplishment, but because people - their languages, their cultures matter to God and therefore should matter to us.

It was evident at this gathering that no one was there out of pride or for some language list. Every interaction was one of humility, collaboration, and understanding how we may fulfill the prophecy that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14). 

So, why translate the Bible into all the languages on earth? Just as the disciples that walked along the road to Emmaus with Jesus said, “Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32) Our hearts burn within us because He has brought forth that revelation. We have witnessed how a life with Jesus far outweighs any other, and now together we can see His Kingdom, His heart, His vision of every nation, tribe, and tongue proclaiming Him as King!