Leaving for a Far Country

Sometimes it’s hard to leave home where everything is familiar and safe. God called Hudson Taylor to do just that—leading him to show God’s heart to dwell among His people and to save them from sin, even at great cost to Himself. In 1853, Hudson traveled to the vast country of China to be a doctor so he would have the opportunity to spread the gospel there. At the time, it was a mission field largely untouched by God’s Word. Hudson was only twenty-one years old, but he was passionate about telling others about Jesus, the One who had saved him. To make sure the gospel was as clear as possible, he even made the controversial decision to wear Chinese dress—even growing a long pigtail, which scandalized his fellow Western missionaries. Over several years of hard, uncomfortable work, Hudson saw people slowly begin to come to Christ. He also recruited many missionaries and eventually formed the China Inland Mission, famously saying, “China is not to be won for Christ by quiet, ease-loving men and women.” Hudson Taylor’s often difficult, scandalizing, and uncomfortable missions philosophy echoed the way God became a human to bring salvation. Throughout the Bible, we see the story of how God reached down to our level to save us from sin and death. It was uncomfortable for Him, but He loved us enough to suffer immensely so we might receive forgiveness and new life in His Name. • Susan Sundwall • What is the longest time you’ve spent away from home? • Read Matthew 28:16-20 and Hebrews 4:14-16. How does Jesus walk with us through everything we face? How does this promise empower us to share the gospel with “all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and tRuth John 1:14 (CSB)

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John 1:1-14