Our scripture this morning is Acts 28:23-31.
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
This passage tells us how Paul lived out the last days before his execution, doing what he had done every day since the Lord appeared to him and changed his life. While he is a prisoner of the Roman Empire, he is still advancing the kingdom of God. Paul is our example for faithful witnessing, even when we face difficult trials in our lives.
It is unlikely that many of us will be in such circumstances for our faith. How much more then should we be active messengers of the love of God to all! We have the ability to go and do as we wish in most cases, so we have no excuse not to share the Good News.
We may think that the task of spreading the Gospel falls only to a select few, but Jesus called everyone to be active in the work of the kingdom, that we may make disciples of all the world. Each of us are created in God’s image, and charged with sharing that connection. As children of the Living God it is our blessing to tell others about His plan of salvation for us all.
Loving Lord, we are amazed and humbled that You make us part of Your work. Bless us to be faithful followers and examples, that all the world may hear Your word. Amen.