Scripture Reading(s)
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 saidthrough 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!”
Reflections
An author once said that “The gift of Christ is for anyone who wants to receive it.” Rebellion is often a reality in the hearts of those who are exposed to the truth of the gospel and choose to reject it. When I was fifteen, I was exposed to the gospel message. I remember I was faced with the reality of my sin and thinking that I had to make a choice. I could either choose to accept Christ in to my heart or reject it. Accepting the truth of the message of the gospel was the best decision I could have ever made.
In this passage we see how Paul longingly tries to convince his listeners to the message of the gospel. He appeals to them through the use of the Old Testament in attempt to prove to them that Jesus was the Messiah. The truth of the matter is that when you are faced with the message of what Jesus has done for you, there is always a response that must be given. God longs for us to turn and give our hearts over to Him. My prayer is that when you come to the realization that Christ loved and died for you so that you would not have to, your heart becomes broken and open to Christ coming into your life.
The more I learn about the sin in my own heart, the more I want to know God’s grace. (AW Tozer)
Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! (Acts 28:28)
Jesus came first for the Jews and then to the gentiles (Romans 1:16, Matthew 15:24). Paul did his ministry in a similar way. The passage in acts 28 records Paul’s words to a group of Jews who refused to believe that Jesus was the messiah. Paul would enter each town, go to the synagogues, and then when the Jews rejected his message he went to the gentiles. What can we learn from Paul’s charge in Acts 28?
God has a plan and a purpose for everyone. However, if you reject the gospel it can and will pass you by. Do not end up the those in the gospels who rejected Jesus and lost out on eternal life. Luckily God is patient and he will accept anyone, even at the 11th hour.