Today’s devotion comes from Acts 28:11-31 which covers Paul’s trip to Rome, arrival, and address to the leading men of the Jews. We focus on the following verses.
“17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.
20 For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.
24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.
25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,
26 saying,
‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
“YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
27 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”
29 [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 28:17-31.
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“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why?
Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, just as it is written,
“BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE,
AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” Romans 9:30-33.
The Scripture for today is not only for historical interest of how most of the Jews rejected Christ and how presentation of the gospel then turned to the Gentiles. The Scripture for today reminds us of the importance of listening.
Using other people as an example, we all know that we can talk to people who are preoccupied about their own agenda and other thoughts. They only hear what they want to hear.
The Jews wanted to establish their own righteousness. They would not listen to a gospel where righteousness came through Christ alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone.
The lesson for today is like those Jews, there are many today (Jews and Gentiles) who also want to establish their own righteousness. They too will not listen to a gospel where righteousness comes through Christ alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone.
The Reformers in the 16th century tried to reform the church by the Five Solas –
Click here: The Five Solas « Reformed Doctrine Blog – including the “calls” to come back to Christ alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone. Like Paul in the first century and the Reformers in the 16th century, today, we too call out to come back to Christ alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone.
Today, are we going to truly listen?
Or, are we only going to listen to preaching or reading of Scripture based on our own agenda of establishing our own righteousness?
Today, are we going to listen to a gospel where righteousness comes through Christ alone, by grace alone, and by faith alone?
“HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED”.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 