SATURDAY July 8, 2023

An Eagerness to Hear

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:43-43

Many Jews rejected the Gospel. They had heard enough of Paul and Barnabas and left the synagogue. Yet the Gentiles were so eager to hear more. Following Israel’s genealogy, Paul had proven that Jesus Christ was the Savior; but not only was He a Savior to Israel, He was the Savior of the whole world! The Gentile nations, through grace, had access to God’s salvation. Listen to Paul explain how, in Ephesians 2:11-13:

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Both Jew and Gentile have been reconciled to God into one body through the Cross (Ephesians 2:16). When the congregation had finally dispersed, there was a group of Jews and proselytes who still continued to follow Paul and Barnabas. It was an opportunity for the two men to persuade the believing Jews to stay in the grace of God. They needed to understand that their salvation could not be attained by following the letter of the Law. Salvation is a free gift of God given by His grace: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

When you come to church, like these Gentiles, do you have an eagerness to hear the Word of God? Even at home, make sure to spend time alone with God. You will hear His voice through the Scriptures.

It is important that we get still to wait on God. And it is best that we get alone, preferably with our Bible outspread before us. Then if we will, we may draw near to God and begin to hear Him speak to us in our hearts.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!