Daily Devotional Friday 24th April 2020
by William MoodyActs 13:44–48
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews1 saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 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. 47 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.’”
48 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.
Footnotes
[1] 13:45
Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 50 (ESV)
One week after his powerful sermon at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (v16-41), Paul returns to share more of God’s truth. This time the whole city turns out, such was the stir Paul and Barnabas had created (v44).
The Jewish leaders are not happy and with jealousy they speak abusively against Paul’s message (v45). Jealousy is a very dangerous force within anyone. We need to be careful of it working in us. The way to avoid jealousy is to be so enwrapped with Christ that His glory and will is everything to us.
The opposition from the Jews is so strong Paul speaks of how they are now turning away from them to share the Gospel with the Gentiles (v46-47). We need to be careful that we’re not spending so much time trying to share the Gospel with those who constantly reject it, that we’re neglecting others who the Lord wants to reach.
The shutting of the doors with the Jews was part of God’s plan as there was now an open door with the Gentiles, many of whom had been already chosen by God for salvation (v48). We work at sharing the Gospel to all, and those whom God has chosen will be saved, and sometimes the most unexpected.
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