By: Obed Pineda
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35)
The current population of Lima, Peru is estimated to be around eleven million people making it the most populated city in the country, and the second largest city in the American continents. Arequipa is the second largest city of Peru, with a little over one million people calling it home. When these stats about Arequipa were shared with me, I was dumbfounded by the realization that the Church was infinitesimal in that region, by comparison. Then again, I really should not have been had I remembered that “in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared…a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water” (1st Peter 3:20). Biblical scholars have theorized that perhaps in Noah’s day, the world population was approximately at 215 million people. Mathematically speaking, this means that for each person saved on the ark, 26,875,000 people drowned in the flood. This astronomical difference in ratio of saved to lost during this cataclysmic event provides an impactful perspective for Peter’s purpose of making an emphasis on the number of people that were saved from the global flood. This, too, sheds a brighter lamp to the significance of the Lord Jesus’ caution, saying, “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Remember that faithful, active Christians are the “chosen” alluded to in this Scripture. Noah was chosen because of his obedience that displayed his faith in God’s Word (cf. Hebrews 11:6-7). Seeing that the inspired amanuenses unveils that the global deluge is a foreshadow of baptism, then one can conclude that Noah’s obedience was fulfilled when he entered the ark that God had commanded him to build, when He commanded him to enter into it (cf. 1st Peter 3:21, Genesis 6:13-22, 7:1-24). The connection that went on in my mind was when I remembered that Noah was “one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2nd Peter 2:5). Allow me to explain. Noah was one of 215,000,000 who had been tasked by God to preach salvation from the great flood that was about to take place. Undoubtedly, this was a daunting task when we consider it from the human perspective. Yet, despite the insurmountable odds that he faced, Holy Writ declares that Noah was obedient to God’s command by revealing him as “a preacher of righteousness.” The apostle Peter verifies that Noah spent the next 100-120 years building the ark and urging mankind to repent from their wicked ways and return to the Almighty with a humble, contrite heart. Instead of focusing on how impossible his mission seemed to be, Noah was diligent to spread news of God’s saving grace and righteous retribution to the impenitent with his own obedience to Him when building the ark. It is natural to sometimes feel overwhelmed as the great minority of this vast world overfilled with people who are profoundly enamored with sinful lusts. Indeed, even the Lord’s twelve wondered “Who then can be saved?” after hearing the Master lament over how difficult it is for a rich man (who solely relies on his earthly wealth and not God) to enter into the Kingdom (cf. Matthew 20:23-25). His disciples understood very well that the bulk of their society had a materialistic mindset, governed by lucrative greed. It is astonishing to see how little humanity has changed from the first century to today, since that is still the primary focus (and obstacle for obedience to Divine edicts) of our modern world. Yet, it is in these moments when this query reveals doubt in our ability to spread the seed of the Gospel into the whole world that we must remember, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Unequivocally, a major reason skeptics constantly attempt to debunk the reality of Noah’s ark is because they willfully ignore God’s divine hand involved in this marvelous event. Noah did not work alone, but rather diligently followed God’s instruction (cf. Genesis 6:22). Paul states it best as he reminded the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1st Corinthians 3:6-9). When I read this Scripture, and remember how intimidated Paul felt by the society he had walked into (cf. 1st Corinthians 2:1-3), it comforts and fortifies to remember that I am in excellent company when I stand before a daunting task as well. It helps stifle my nerves to remember that the mighty Christians of old, too, felt similar concerns and woes as I do in these moments. Nevertheless, it is wise for me to remember that I am working together with the Sovereign God and I must submit, by following His lead. Paul was reassured by the Savior, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10). The harrowing numbers of Arequipa’s population, in comparison to the minute number of Christians entrusted with bringing them the Gospel, was quickly dispelled by the faithful brother leading this mission when he reminded us that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2nd Corinthians 4:7). Our brother reminded as well that as the Church, our duty to Christ is to be dispensers of His Truth, and if we dispense it loyally to the masses, then God would do the rest. For this reason, working diligently and ceaselessly (day and night) was the approach that would increase our chances of reaching a greater number of lost, thirsty souls for His Word. Looking back, it is impossible for me not to relate to Gideon and his valiant three hundred, chosen by God to deliver His people from their enemies (cf. Judges 7:1ff). On that occasion, God assured Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand” (Judges 7:7). This not only made me recall that nothing is impossible for God, but it, too, taught me the tremendous value of the right, spiritual leader placed by God at the helm. To be continued…