“Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 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,” Acts 28:24-25 NLT
The Apostle Paul, formerly Rabbi Saul, trained and certified under the well known and respected Gamaliel, has made his case before his peers, the religious leaders. At first they were curious, “But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere” (Acts 28:22). Paul did an excellent job presenting the gospel through the Law and the prophets. Some were even convinced, but others would not believe. Then he quoted a long and sad truth spoken by Isaiah: They would hear but not understand, see but not comprehend. Their hearts were hard and closed. Thus, they cannot turn to God and let Him heal them! All this time, all the cycles of grief and glee, they refused to listen to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And… it was necessary!
Their resistance to the Messiah was part of God’s plan. This is the moment that Paul made the formal announcement to most of the official Sanhedrin – “So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it” (Acts 28:28). It had also been the plan before time began. It was told to the leaders of Israel, demonstrated by many of the stories and prophets’ behaviors that were confusing to the religious leaders of that day. The plan of salvation was for ALL human beings. Israel was to be mentors, teachers and examples to the nations! Before there would be converts to Judaism, in what the Jewish people call a “righteous convert.” But now, millions upon millions would become converts to Jesus Christ, adopted by God and grafted into the Jewish tree! Their righteousness would not be in the fulfillment of the Law, but in the fulfillment of faith in the work of Christ to repair the breach between God and humankind, permanently eradicating sin for those who would repent and believe.
Paul became God’s first missionary carrying the message of hope and inviting all to be adopted and come into the family of God!
Prayer
Dad,
It is so rare to see the simple moments that shift the future so profoundly. This moment that Luke recorded about Paul is subtle but powerful- I have, we have, been grafted into this beautiful tree, this root of Jesse. I am so thankful salvation and redemption has come to all! Amen.
