Acts 13: 42-44 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
I can't even imagine!!! Paul, Barnabas and the disciples with them had preached the word of Jesus Christ to this town and the people were so excited by the message they begged them to come back next week. How encouraging that moment must have been!!!
And then to arrive a week later to a crowd that measured to be most of the townspeople. WOW, look what God can do!!!
Acts 13:45, 48-50 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 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. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 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.
They speak to the crowds just like the week before only this time jealousy and persecution are stirring. Somehow the apostles have gone from preaching the News of Christ to almost the whole city to being driven out.
What happened!?!?!?! How did they go from that wonderful moment of fulfilling their mission to total failure?
At least on some of my days that's the feeling I would have given a similar scenario.
Thankfully instead of the disciples following my confusion, they had the instruction from Jesus to hold onto.
Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
And the disciples did just that.....
Acts 13: 51-52 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Once again as I had just written in an earlier post, the townspeople and officials were not rejecting the men but the message.... Jesus Christ.
It is only for us to follow where Christ leads us. Only to be obedient to His calling of us for today.
As long as our trust and faith are in the LORD as we follow Him, our trust and faith will continue to grow and regardless of what we face we will be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Life just doesn't get any better than that! It just doesn't!!!
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