Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard [Acts 28:17-31]
What a powerful ending to this book! Paul remained obedient to God, and God delivered in everything He had promised. We really see how amazing our God is by the way he worked in Paul's life. Paul never lost hope despite all the hardships he was put through, and what struck me the most about this passage were verses 26 & 27 when Paul made his final statement to the Jews:
26" 'Go to this people and say,
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."
27For 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.' "
I'm sure we know people that are similar to those that opposed what Paul had preached. What are we to do when we've tried everything but they still deny God? Should we just move on, or keep trying to reach out to them? These
verses reminded me to continue to pray for those in our lives that do not know God or have a personal relationship with Him. May we not lose hope but put our faith and hope in God that all things are possible through Him and Him
alone.
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6 comments:
Thank you Esther for your reflection. We pray that God will continue to give you grace and strength you need for each day as a new mommy.
As we finish up reading the book of Acts, this very last passages sum up the very purpose and will of God for His people. Moreover it helps us understand God calls Christian to be Paul. In verse 20,"It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain. The Messiah, who came, died, rose again, and now sitting at the right hand of God almighty is the only hope for the Jews and only hope for all mankind. Paul whom God called to carry out the mission only concerned about the message of the hope would be reached out to as many people as possible. Paul didn't come up with his own strategies or plans to fulfill the goal but he was submissive and obedient to God's plan. God's plan was to have Paul bound with the chain. Why? I don't know. However, even in the chain Paul continued to preach and share the love of Jesus Christ. It really taught me what it means to be obedient and submissive even you don't understand things of God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Esther, thanks for sharing your reflection today. What you and what Christine wrote really hit home to me as I reflect on the passing of one of my cousins, Paul. As Christine wrote, the church should be a source of encouragement and help to whoever that comes our way. And Esther, you're right. It's never hopeless; all things are possible with God. I realized this at the wake and funeral of one of my cousin Paul, who had fallen into a destructive lifestyle and had drifted far from the family. I can't remember the last time I saw him alive and can only vaguely remember little rumors here and there of how he struggled with personal problems, and then with his marriage, his children, lost his business, his house, and other unfortunate news about him. Paul and his personal issues had become a matter my uncles and aunts kept hushed and was something I couldn't freely ask or talk about. I didn't even know how or by what he passed away until I heard it at the wake service. I guess I got used to just accepting that it's best to honor the wishes of the elders and not ask any questions about him. I didn't know what to expect but was prepared to hear the worst. I couldn't help feeling frustrated and saddened not only by the kind of life he led but the silence that was meant to shelter him. Now that he had passed, it didn't seem to matter what kind of trouble he was in or what kind of shame he bore. Was anyone there to reach out to him? Was anyone there to lead him to Christ? He was kept at a distance from the rest of the family to 'save face' but what did it matter when his eternal life was slipping right through our fingers? Would we ever know if he was saved? I tried to listen closely to the what the Reverend was saying, hoping that his wise disposition on the life and death of Moses would offer some hope but it didn't. His insights were impressive but it did not speak salvation for Paul as he laid there lifeless. I felt hopeless, frustrated- perhaps even angry. Then as if God had heard my plea, a man stepped forward and spoke about how he had met and had known Paul just seven days and within those seven days, became the confidant to this dying man. The irony is that when they first met, neither knew that Paul was dying and that they would only have seven days together.
I don't even know the name of this man but that he simply answered the request of a man who wanted to talk to someone about God. He visited Paul at his home and got to know him as they prayed and read the Bible together. He had learned that Paul was being treated for liver cancer and offered him words of encouragement from the Bible and implored him to not be afraid. One day, he received a call from Paul saying he was not at home but admitted to the hospital. At the hospital he was told that it's because Paul was having trouble breathing but that it's not serious and not unusual. As he had done before, Paul would be treated and released in a day or so. He felt relieved but felt compelled to asked Paul if he was sure of his salvation. Paul said 'of course' and assured him. He was glad for this new friendship with Paul and was looking forward to see him when he gets out of the hospital. However, his wife insisted that they visit him again at the hospital. In fact, her insistence fell upon him after a long day of work around 9pm. By the time he drove the distance and arrived it was close to 10. After their usual time of conversation, prayer and reading the Bible together, they hugged each other good bye. As they embraced, Paul said in his ear "I believe, I believe". With joy in their hearts the couple returned home and hoped for Paul's quick recovery. However,the next morning someone called and said that Paul had passed away. It was unexpected and sudden but I believe it was in God's timing.
I was so thankful to hear this man's testimony and to learn that there was a church that encouraged him since May. Someone had told him to call Evergreen church because it was so near his home just this past May. After a couple of attendance, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and the church poured upon him encouragement and prayer. Though Paul attended the church only for a short time, he became well known among the members.
I am amazed and so thankful that God in His abundant grace, provided a church and humble servants to deliver Christ's love and the assurance of salvation to Paul. For one reason or another, his own family members were not able render this most importance service. Not only that, God provided such comfort and encouragement to us that deserved to be condemned for our failures. I for one felt ashamed for thinking and expecting to hear the worst about Paul. It certainly was beyond my imagination how God orchestrated divine appointments to call Paul home. I'm convicted to remember and heed God's power and His Promises instead of focusing so much on broken side of this world. As a Christian and as a church, may we be prepared to meet and minister to the sojourners of this world be it strangers or friends. As Esther shared today "May we not lose hope but put our faith and hope in God that all things are possible through Him and Him
alone."
thanks esther for such a thoughtful and moving reflection. i agree with you completely about the importance of verses 26 and 27. the preaching of the gospel brings about one of two effects: 1) it either leads the hearer of the Word to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, OR 2) it further hardens the heart of the unbeliever.
what a fearful truth this is!!! paul earnestly preached the gospel to the jews but many "having heard the Word of the Lord" refused to believe. paul's final words to them were that they "will be hearing but never understanding; ever seeing but never perceiving".
we need to take very good care how we listen to God's Word--even in us it is producing one of two effects--greater faith or a deeper hardening of the heart. as sunday's sermon reminded us, we will most certainly answer to God if we hear His Word and do not respond in faith.
let's earnestly pray that paul's pronouncement on the jews in rome do not apply to us. sadly the testament of our Lord Jesus and the entire new testament is that it will be all too true of too many of us.
Thanks Esther!
Today's passage really does cut to the heart. You can't help but to feel Paul's frustration with the Jews, the people who he loved so much but rejected the Gospel with so much hate. It's scary how Paul recited Isaiah the prophet and it came true. The people of Israel refused to listen so God moved on to people who will. I'm amazed that how abundant God's grace can be and at the same time I wonder when will it run out to those who continue to refuse to listen to him.
Thanks for the encouraging reflection Esther! May we never lose faith and always hold onto the knowledge that all things are possible through Him alone.
Lynn..I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the personal story about your cousin Paul. I was truly moved by this testimony and so glad that he was able to find Christ and that there was a church that met him where he was at.
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