The Lutheran Witness’ October stories on “Mission Multiplication” and the Reformation surfaced online on a Norwegian cruise ship during a recent holiday. The ship carried about 2,000 people from 60 countries. After visiting about a dozen countries and historic places such as Ephesus, my wife and I were struck with the possibilities of doing Christ’s work right there, on board and at our various ports of call in both Europe and Asia.
After visiting Ephesus, we often recalled Paul’s experiences there as we dined in the ship’s restaurants. On one occasion, after inviting our companions to pray with us, they refused. On another, a self-confessed atheist admitted he simply could not be a Christian. Janet, my wife, responded by saying that in spite of being repudiated by Marx or Nietzsche or anyone else, the Christian faith still goes on. A man from Malta had tears in his eyes as we spoke of St. Paul, sang “A Mighty Fortress,” and visited his island.
Our Lord works from fear to faith and reconciliation. The passengers on the ship, and the people on the land, needed to hear the comfort and consolation of the Gospel, and once again we were given multiple opportunities to share the Good News. In this day of instant communication, multiple mission opportunities come to each of us.
Dr. Albert E. Jabs
Lexington, S.C.
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