Reaching those who Cannot Hear

By: Hugo Lucero

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Without a doubt we have heard this passage numerous times; however, it doesn’t matter how many times we have read it or heard it preached. What’s important is if we have put it into practice. The Great Commission always challenges us to go further than we are traditionally accustomed to go.

It should also be mentioned that God also praises us in his Word when he says: “¡How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Amazing, right? If we go back a bit in the previous verses, Romans 10:14 says: ¿How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Let’s concentrate on the second question from the previous passage: ¿And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? That question seems pretty easy to answer: many of us could say with confidence, “Ah! That’s simple. We just go up to a person and share the gospel with them!” Or we could continue planning campaigns and evangelistic activities in our churches designed to clarify any doubts that people may have. However, let’s go deeper. How would we reach a person who couldn’t hear?

How can we reach a population that is deaf, not because they won’t listen, but because they can’t listen?

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 70 million deaf people in the world.

Even more surprising is that, although around the world there are more than 300 different kinds of sign language, the only word or phrase that is repeated (or signed virtually the same way) in most of them is: Jesus loves you. Isn’t that fascinating?! Thousands of languages and expressions exist, but there’s one message that the world needs to know more than any other: Jesus loves you and me.

Today we have in our hands the answer to that last question in Romans 10:14. The world needs you, and God wants to use you to be a voice for the voiceless. As you serve, he wants your hands to be the “sound” of the gospel.

Our Lord Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Today I invite you to accept the challenge. Remember that the best way to communicate love is through actions and many times without a single word.

Use your hands to bless those who cannot hear. Use your feet to walk with those who can’t walk themselves. But above all honor the Lord with your life, making disciples in all nations and seeking new and creative ways to share his gospel.

¡God is not restricting you; he’s giving you the strength to overcome the world in his name!

*Hugo Lucero is the Mesoamerica Region’s Coordinator of the Justice Movement.