Today’s readings: Acts 11-13, Psalm 124
Acts 13:44-52
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews 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. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
When I was interviewed at Holy Cross in Arlington, I thought there was such a close connection that I was surely going to be called there. And I was convinced that was the place for me. The day of the call meeting came and went, and I heard nothing. I was quite disappointed and assumed that it was not to be, and that I would continue my work in Arkansas.
Imagine my surprise three months later when I got a phone call from the president of Holy Cross asking if I was still open to considering a call to serve as their pastor.
I asked a few questions about what had happened three months earlier and learned that the man they had called had not accepted their call. I was once again a candidate they wanted to consider. A month later I received word that they had voted to call me as their pastor. The other pastor’s decision not to accept the call opened the door for me, and soon I was installed as their pastor. I served there for 11 years with great joy and rich blessings.
I’m not sure I was happy about the stop/start nature of that experience. But I am thankful for the opportunity to have served there. God was at work in my heart during that time, as well as in the hearts of the people there.
Sometimes God opens doors for ministry when others say no. Something like that happens as the Good News of Jesus begins to be taken more purposefully and directly to the Gentiles. In Pisidian Antioch, many of the Jews rejected the message of Jesus and made it clear that they wanted no part in what Paul and Barnabas were preaching. In response, Paul and Barnabas made this defining announcement: “We are turning to the Gentiles.”
Sadly, it’s likely that many of those who opposed them were glad to hear that. They may well have thought, Good riddance!
Thankfully—for more reasons than one—the Gentiles were delighted and glorified the word of the Lord. We should be glad as well, and filled with joy—not because some of the Jews rejected the message of Jesus, but because Paul and Barnabas were not content simply to give up. They were propelled by the Holy Spirit to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles—among whom most of us reading this are numbered.
We can easily take for granted the place we have in God’s kingdom. But it was not always so. The Gospel had already begun crossing the boundary to Gentiles, but here we see that mission taking a decisive step forward. And eventually that Gospel came all the way to us.
That is reason enough to give thanks—and reason enough not to keep it to ourselves. The same Good News that crossed boundaries then is still meant to cross boundaries now: Jesus Christ has come for sinners, for Jews and Gentiles alike, and the Holy Spirit is still propelling his message forward, a message of forgiveness, life, and salvation for all who believe.
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
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