Salvation to earth’s end!
Scripture reading for May 22: Acts 13
“The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the Word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:44-48
Paul and his companions had been sent out on a mission by the Holy Spirit and the Church at Antioch. (Acts 13:1-3) As they went, they preached the Gospel message, and usually began with the Jews in each city they visited. There were great crowds that gathered to hear the message and many who heard were being saved. But the leaders of the Jews became jealous and spoke harshly against Paul and the mission team, contradicting them. But Paul understood the mission that they had been sent on by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Their purpose was to preach the Good News to all people, Gentiles included.
Paul quoted a Scripture to them taken from Isaiah 45:22 and 49:6 to show them God’s intended plan that all men and women from all nations would come to the Light of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had been raised in ‘Galilee of the Gentiles’ and done many miracles there. He had healed both Jew and Gentile and preached to the Samaritans. When the Gentiles heard Paul’s declaration, they began rejoicing an glorifying God’s Word! God is always seeking to enlarge our world view with His stated Word of Truth!
Have you ever gotten upset or jealous when your view of life or religious understanding has been threatened? Does the Word of the Lord, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sometimes bring division and contention? Do you ever think that some people should not have eternal life?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for expanding my world view and addressing my limited understanding of Your will with those preaching Your Word. Forgive me when I have judged some as not worthy of hearing the Good News. Send me to those in need of hearing the Good News in my end of the earth! Amen!
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