April 14, 2023 | Be On Mission
Paul Tells Gentiles About Jesus
Scripture: Acts 13:44-52(NIV)
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Devotional
When we last left Paul and Barnabas, people were begging them to keep talking about God’s grace in Jesus. News spread through the city like the Chicago fire, and a week later everybody and their brother showed up at the synagogue for another talk. The Jewish religious leaders had lost control, and they didn’t like it. They disparaged Paul and dismantled his message.
Paul and Barnabas pivoted and courageously told the Jews: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” The Jews were mad, but the Gentiles were glad. Many of the Gentiles believed in Jesus and spread the good news of salvation all over that Gentile region.
This was a turning point for Paul. While he would continue to share the message that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God with the Jews, the focus for his future ministry would be with the Gentiles. This would serve him well as he traveled into Greece and other parts of the Roman Empire that were deeply Greek in nature. When they were expelled from the region, they shook off the dust and put on the armor. They knew that God was going to use them for great things!
Too often in life we judge our faithfulness on whether or not we have received any resistance. It keeps us from sharing our faith with a neighbor, or telling a co-worker about how Jesus is changing our lives, or inviting a new friend to church. Throughout this year-long study, we have been challenged to share the gospel among those where we live, work, learn and play. How is God calling you to shake off the dust and put on the armor? Who is somebody that comes to mind right now?
Poem
There'll Be No Corruption
We’ll see persecution
We’ll see worms destroy
Strong venom assails us
Death’s pains not avoid
But in this great struggle
Our Savior we’ll see
There’ll be no corruption
For those who believe
I know my Redeemer
Lives high on the throne
In my flesh I’ll see him
When Christ brings me home
