I'm learning a new language
In the Book of Revelation (7:9), John narrates a vision of a great multitude standing before the Lamb — people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Last week, believers at the JC2033 Montreal North America gathering shared and celebrated a vision of what that great multitude may look like as we look toward the 2000‑year anniversary of the resurrection of our Lord and Messiah, Yeshua. Indeed, this is an amazing vision.
One of my primary experiences during this gathering was the experience of nations and tongues. We came from different parts of the US, Canada, and even Switzerland. We gathered from different churches and communities in the Lord. We were different, but it was the same Lord.
Yet this experience became especially vivid during conversations over shared meals. Before traveling, I knew Montreal was a region with French culture. Because I was entering a dominant French‑speaking environment, I thought it important to prepare by beginning to study French. But when I first arrived at the Montreal airport, I was overwhelmed. When we went the wrong way and the security guard spoke to us in French, I felt completely lost. My French study seemed of no use!
Then our guide, Mattieu, picked us up. As we shared stories, I began practicing small words. When we arrived at our gathering location, I practiced more with French speakers. But most of all, it was during our meals. As we shared food, I grew more confident. People were patient with my poor French. They laughed with me and taught me. Then they began practicing their limited English with me. I returned the patience and taught them. Then some began practicing Spanish with me. The Lord showed me that together — with joy, love, humble acceptance, and even some sweating — we honored one another by attempting to speak one another’s languages. We rejoiced in our unity while celebrating our diversity.
The Lord made me aware that learning any new language takes time. It can be joyful and fun, but it also costs us something if we truly desire to enter into the heart of another.
The Lord further showed me that it should take time to speak the language of unity that comes from the heart of Yeshua (John 17). If it takes time on a human level to speak any language, why would we expect learning and speaking the language of unity to be different? New languages require listening, learning, practice, speaking — and mistakes. Lots of them. And through the gift of tongues at Pentecost, we know that this language is not spoken by human effort alone, but by God’s grace. Still, as the Holy Spirit empowers, we must speak. Unity cannot remain hidden in our minds. We need to speak it out into our human realities to the glory of God.
The JC2033 Montreal gathering offered a living experience of this vision — peoples and tongues coming together in a common language of praise to the risen Lord. As believers, we are already one in the Messiah. Let’s take the time to enjoy, learn, practice, make mistakes, and grow together in this language of unity from the heart of Yeshua.
Dr. Juan Medina, Founder, Center of the Heart of Jesus
