Faith Beyond Words
Faith That Holds Nothing Back
John Paton’s journey as a missionary
John Paton’s journey as a missionary to the New Hebrides was one marked by remarkable courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to Christ’s call. Born in 1824 in Scotland, Paton grew up in a devout Christian household. His father was a passionate man of prayer, and his dedication to God deeply influenced Paton’s faith. Early in life, Paton felt a calling to serve God, which initially led him to work as a city missionary in Glasgow, ministering to the destitute and spiritually lost. However, his heart longed for a more far-reaching mission, and he soon felt compelled to take the gospel to those who had never heard of Christ.
A Calling to the Unreached
In 1858, Paton’s sense of calling brought him to the New Hebrides, a group of islands in the South Pacific inhabited by tribal people who practiced animism and cannibalism. The New Hebrides were known to be dangerous for missionaries. Just two decades earlier, John Williams and James Harris, the first missionaries to the region, were killed and eaten upon their arrival. Despite the risks, Paton was steadfast in his calling, convinced that the people there deserved to hear about Jesus and the hope of eternal life.
Before departing, many of his friends and family expressed grave concerns. One older man famously told him, “You will be eaten by cannibals!” Paton replied with great courage, saying, “If I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms.” His determination was unwavering—he believed in the power of God to transform even the hardest hearts.
The Trials and Challenges of Mission Work
Paton arrived on the island of Tanna in 1858 with his wife, Mary. Tragically, only a few months later, Mary and their newborn son both died from fever. Paton buried them with his own hands and spent many lonely nights beside their graves, battling grief and despair. Yet, even in this immense sorrow, he refused to abandon his mission, drawing strength from God’s promises. Paton wrote of his heartache and perseverance: “Feeling immovably assured that my God and Father was too wise and loving to err in anything that He does or permits, I looked up to the Lord for help, and struggled on in His work.”
Over the next years, Paton faced constant threats to his life from the tribes he sought to reach. His attempts to build relationships were often met with hostility, and he endured many attacks from warriors with clubs, arrows, and spears. On one occasion, he narrowly escaped by climbing a tree and hiding there as his enemies hunted him. Reflecting on that experience, he later wrote, “I climbed into the tree and was left there alone in the bush. The hours I spent there live all before me as if it were but yesterday. I heard the frequent discharging of muskets and the yells of the savages. Yet I sat there among the branches, as safe as in the arms of Jesus.”
Breakthrough and Transformation
Language barriers posed a particular difficulty, especially when it came to communicating core concepts of the Christian faith. One of his biggest obstacles was finding a way to explain “faith,” a concept so essential to salvation, in a language that lacked a direct equivalent.
One day, as Paton was reflecting on this dilemma in his mission home, his indigenous servant entered. Paton, inspired, leaned back in his chair, lifted his feet off the ground, and asked, “What am I doing now?” The servant replied with a word that meant “to lean your whole weight upon.” This became a breakthrough for Paton. Faith, he realized, was not merely belief—it was an entire reliance on Jesus, trusting Him to bear the full weight of one’s life. This expression became the way Paton taught faith to the people of the New Hebrides.
This vivid image of “leaning your whole weight upon” Jesus encapsulates the essence of faith. It’s a total surrender, a trust that holds nothing back, resting entirely on Jesus to carry our lives, burdens, and hopes.
Through patience, prayer, and steadfast love for the people, Paton began to gain their trust. His compassionate care for the sick, his help in moments of need, and his consistent presence softened their hearts. He dedicated himself to learning their language, even developing a written form of it, and eventually translated the New Testament into their native tongue.
Over time, Paton’s faithfulness bore fruit. Many villagers came to understand the message of Jesus and embraced Christianity. Entire tribes left behind their former practices, including cannibalism, to follow Christ. Paton’s work brought transformation, not only to individuals but to entire communities.
Legacy of a Faithful Servant
John Paton continued his work on the New Hebrides until his death in 1907, leaving behind a profound legacy. By the time he left the islands, Christianity had taken root in the region, and countless lives had been transformed by the gospel. His life was a testament to the power of faith and the importance of obedience to God’s calling, even in the face of immense trials.
Paton’s legacy lives on in the many churches and communities of believers he helped establish. He is remembered for his courage, resilience, and, above all, his absolute trust in God. His story encourages believers everywhere to “lean their whole weight” upon Jesus, no matter where He calls them to go.
Paton’s journey reminds us that a life surrendered to God has the power to bring light to the darkest places. He may not have known the impact his faith would have at the outset, but he trusted God completely, confident that his work would not be in vain. Today, his story continues to inspire Christians worldwide to answer the call, lean on Jesus, and persevere with courage, knowing that God can bring life and transformation to the most unlikely of places.
