Acts 28:23-31
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came
to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening (A)he expounded to them, testifying to (B)the kingdom of God and (C)trying to convince them about Jesus(D)both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And (E)some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And
disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: (F)“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through
Isaiah the prophet:
26 (G)“‘Go to this people, and say,
(H)“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 (I)For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and (J)turn, and I would heal them.’
(H)“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 (I)For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and (J)turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that (K)this (L)salvation of God (M)has been sent to the Gentiles; (N)they will listen.”[a]
30 He lived there two whole years at his own
expense,[b] and (O)welcomed all who came to him, 31 (P)proclaiming (Q)the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (R)with all boldness and (S)without hindrance.
Paul
had wanted to go to Rome and preach to the crowds and he did so. Even though, he did so as a prisoner in his
own home. I think this is an amazing
story of how God works in our lives.
Sometimes we have dreams of what we want to do but the road we choose to
that and the road God chooses are two different things.
I
find it interesting that even though Paul has been let down by the Jews time
and time again, that is always the first place he goes to minister. Once again the Jews reject his teachings but
note, not all of the Jews reject it.
There are disagreements between the Jews on this matter and some do believe
in Christ. As a whole they did not
believe but as individuals there were some whose hearts were not
calloused. That is why Paul always went
to them. If no one went to them they
would not be given the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation from Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Isaiah
the prophet had foretold this would happen many years prior and it still
happens today. It not only happens to
the Jewish people but happens among the Gentiles as well. People are still trying to make material
things their god and they are deciding not to believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ. It makes no sense to me how some
can sit in church Sunday after Sunday, see the love of Christ through the
people, hear the Word of God preached and still not believe.
God
knows our hearts. He knows if He has
cleansed it or not. He knows if it is
calloused or still open to His love and direction. When we choose to open our lives to Him, He
is able to change our heart but when we continually reject Him we will
eventually lose our desire to know Him.
Just as the Jews hearts were calloused so will those who continually refuse
to make Jesus Lord of their lives.
I
trust that you have decided to be a part of the family of God but if you have
not, seek Him, turn from your wicked ways see Him and follow Him.
Seeking
Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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