Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 28
23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
Commentary:
28:23 The content of Paul’s message was the kingdom of God and Jesus (see also v. 31). The kingdom represents the fulfillment of God’s saving promises to his people (see note on Matt. 12:28 on the kingdom of God). For the OT texts pointing to Jesus, see notes on Luke 24:44; 24:45; Acts 2:31; 3:11–26; 3:24.
28:24 On the Jews’ pattern of resistance (cf. 5:33; 7:51; 12:1; 13:45; 25:11), see note on Amos 4:6.
28:26–27 Isaiah 6:9–10 (quoted here) is also quoted by Jesus to explain the failure of the Jews as a body to accept him (see Matt. 13:14–15). They had eyes to see, ears to hear, but the heart—the organ of thinking, willing, and deciding—failed to respond.
28:28 Paul’s pattern of turning from the Jews to witness to the Gentiles repeated itself in Rome, but there is no reason to think that he gave up on the Jews in Rome at this point (cf. note on 18:7).
28:24 On the Jews’ pattern of resistance (cf. 5:33; 7:51; 12:1; 13:45; 25:11), see note on Amos 4:6.
28:26–27 Isaiah 6:9–10 (quoted here) is also quoted by Jesus to explain the failure of the Jews as a body to accept him (see Matt. 13:14–15). They had eyes to see, ears to hear, but the heart—the organ of thinking, willing, and deciding—failed to respond.
28:28 Paul’s pattern of turning from the Jews to witness to the Gentiles repeated itself in Rome, but there is no reason to think that he gave up on the Jews in Rome at this point (cf. note on 18:7).
Questions:
- In verse 25, Paul is making his final plea with them... a word of warning and judgement. He quoted the prophet Isaiah saying, "For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them." He's telling them there is no plan B. Jesus was God's plan for redemption and they were missing it. Jesus is the only way your friends and loved ones are going to be saved from an eternal punishment. Seeing as how we are in the last days and Jesus could return at any moment, do you feel a sense of urgency to tell them about Jesus?
- There is also no plan B when it comes to getting this message to the world. God makes His appeal through US! We are plan A to plead with people to turn to Jesus. In other words, YOU are God's plan A in YOUR circle of friends and family. Who has God placed in your life in order for you to share Jesus with them?
Pray:
- That you would feel an urgency to share Jesus with people you love.
- That you would feel a sense of responsibility to share Jesus with people you love.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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