Because 50 Day 24
Scripture Reading: Acts 13:44-49
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
46Then 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. 47For 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.’ ”
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
Today’s Prayer:
Lord, I give you my all. Use my life to reach the nations.
Going Deeper:
Paul and Barnabas were at Pisidian Antioch. As was their habit, they went into the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath. While there, they were invited to speak as visiting rabbis. They presented the Gospel message and told of the work that God had done through Jesus Christ. The message captured the attention of the crowd. In fact, verse 43 records the response? “When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.”
What happened when Paul and Barnabas returned the next week? How did the Jewish crowds respond? What motivated that response? It’s helpful for us to keep in mind that often when we receive unwarranted criticism that it is motivated out of jealousy. Knowing that their displeasure is rooted in their own internal struggle can help us not internalize their unjustified critique. Paul and Barnabas had a clear sense of what was going on in this situation and responded boldly. What did they tell the Jewish religious leaders?
The boldness of Paul and Barnabas resulted in the “word of the Lord spread[ing] through the whole region.” When we’re faithful to share what God has done for us, God often acts and moves people to belief. Matt shared a quote from Isobel Miller Kuhn, a missionary to China during the early 20th century. Reading the stories of how others have faithfully taken the gospel throughout the world should encourage us. You can read the stories of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson and John Paton in a free e-book available here. Who’s story of faith has encouraged your Christian walk and made you a bolder witness of Christ’s love and the gospel?