Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 28
“23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:26 “‘Go to this people and say,“You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
What Does This Mean?
As was Paul’s custom throughout his missionary journeys, he went to the local temple to prove and persuade the local Jews that Jesus was the Christ. This was his first call. But as we see so many times though as Paul clearly and passionately explains the truth about the kingdom and how the Law and Prophets all predicted Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, some were convinced, but others would not believe.
At this point we see a significant change in the nature of Paul’s calling and mission. He declares that from now on he will go to the Gentiles with the message of salvation. For the next two years Paul stayed in his own rented house (presumable under some kind of asylum from the government) and welcomed all those who came to listen to him proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus, which he did with boldness and without hindrance.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Paul was clearly called to proclaim the gospel first to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles. The way he handles the rejection by His Jewish brothers regarding the faith, teaches us a valuable lesson. Although we are clearly called to preach the gospel to all people and do so persuasively presenting the truths of the faith with boldness and clarity, only God can soften hearts to receive His word.
As Paul says, the people’s hearts had become “calloused” or “hardened”. We do not know why in the sovereignty of God why some hearts are softened and receive the Good News and others reject it. We know God’s desire is for all to be saved and yet He some are saved and some aren’t. In regard to the Jewish faith, there are still Jews today who reject Jesus and there are others who come to faith (often called “Messianic Jews” meaning they believe the Messiah has already come in the person of Jesus Christ!)
While it is easy to get caught up and speculate on who is saved and who isn’t and why and why not, our thoughts should be more focused on what we can do to keep a soft heart before the Lord. A soft heart implies that one is sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and acts in accordance with them. God calls us to have “soft hearts” and “hard feet”. Feet ready to act even in spite of fleeting feelings and up and down circumstances to the Spirit’s promptings. As we do this God promises eventually all things will work together for good, and we will be conformed to the image of His Son, who followed His Father’s call in obedience, even to death on a cross.
Jesus thank you for calling us out of the world to follow You wherever you would lead us. As we face certain disappointments and trials, remind us that you are working out Your salvation in our lives through the promises You have given us. Through Your Spirit reminds us of Your certain promises that we can rely on in our time of distress. We know that you who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it! Amen.
What Does This Mean?
As was Paul’s custom throughout his missionary journeys, he went to the local temple to prove and persuade the local Jews that Jesus was the Christ. This was his first call. But as we see so many times though as Paul clearly and passionately explains the truth about the kingdom and how the Law and Prophets all predicted Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, some were convinced, but others would not believe.
At this point we see a significant change in the nature of Paul’s calling and mission. He declares that from now on he will go to the Gentiles with the message of salvation. For the next two years Paul stayed in his own rented house (presumable under some kind of asylum from the government) and welcomed all those who came to listen to him proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus, which he did with boldness and without hindrance.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Paul was clearly called to proclaim the gospel first to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles. The way he handles the rejection by His Jewish brothers regarding the faith, teaches us a valuable lesson. Although we are clearly called to preach the gospel to all people and do so persuasively presenting the truths of the faith with boldness and clarity, only God can soften hearts to receive His word.
As Paul says, the people’s hearts had become “calloused” or “hardened”. We do not know why in the sovereignty of God why some hearts are softened and receive the Good News and others reject it. We know God’s desire is for all to be saved and yet He some are saved and some aren’t. In regard to the Jewish faith, there are still Jews today who reject Jesus and there are others who come to faith (often called “Messianic Jews” meaning they believe the Messiah has already come in the person of Jesus Christ!)
While it is easy to get caught up and speculate on who is saved and who isn’t and why and why not, our thoughts should be more focused on what we can do to keep a soft heart before the Lord. A soft heart implies that one is sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and acts in accordance with them. God calls us to have “soft hearts” and “hard feet”. Feet ready to act even in spite of fleeting feelings and up and down circumstances to the Spirit’s promptings. As we do this God promises eventually all things will work together for good, and we will be conformed to the image of His Son, who followed His Father’s call in obedience, even to death on a cross.
Jesus thank you for calling us out of the world to follow You wherever you would lead us. As we face certain disappointments and trials, remind us that you are working out Your salvation in our lives through the promises You have given us. Through Your Spirit reminds us of Your certain promises that we can rely on in our time of distress. We know that you who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it! Amen.
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