God says,
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
In the first chapter of the book of Acts, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples and, just before his ascension, says to them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in our own worlds. Between work, family, our own health and well-being, and all the day-to-day hubbub that is life, the circle of our concern can quickly shrink. Add to that the overwhelming nature of the world’s problems and who can blame a person for tuning out the cares and concerns around us and focusing inward or just on the small circle of those immediately around us?
However, scripture is clear. God’s salvation is extended to “the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 49 is one of four “suffering servant songs” of Isaiah. These “songs” speak of a servant called by God to help spread God’s salvation to those earthly ends. This servant is not noted for their eloquence or might, but rather for their humility and weakness.
Likewise, the disciples the risen Christ sends “to the ends of the earth” are those same frightened followers who not long before were hiding out in a locked room.
Yes, you and I are also God’s servants. You and I, despite our weaknesses, despite how very busy we are, despite even our unwillingness, you and I are witnesses to God’s salvation, “to the ends of the earth.” It is a part of our claim as “Christian.”
We cannot close our eyes to the suffering of others. We cannot ignore the plight of the world. We are called. We are called to bear God’s light to anyone who sits in darkness, anywhere in the world, all the way to the ends of the earth.