SCRIPTURE: Acts 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. [Matthew 13:23] There are 6 references to the “word” (or message of the Kingdom) in our passage. This passage reveals some of the different ways the message is received.
The first thing to note is that ‘the word’ does not refer to the bible. There was no written bible. The Gr. word is logos, and of course that reminds us of John 1:1,14. There we learn that the ‘word’ is God Who becomes human, or Jesus as He is named. The Lord Jesus. Notice in this Acts passage that 3 references are to the ‘word of God’ [Acts 13:5,7,46] and 3 to the ‘word of the Lord [Acts 13:44,48,49]. They are interchangeable.
Paul is spreading the message of the King, of the kingdom of God, the seed [Matthew 13:19]. Jesus taught them about this kingdom in Acts 1:3. When they asked about when it would come [Acts 1:6]. He didn’t answer them. He sends them to witness to Him to the ends of the earth [Acts 1:8]. This is what is happening throughout this book, and here in this chapter. They are spreading the seed, and the seed is spreading [Acts 13:49]. Paul and Barnabas are commissioned to spread the message. The proconsul receives the message with eagerness, but Elymas the sorcerer opposes it. When Paul spreads the message in Antioch (His message is the ‘word’ or sermon he shares, [Acts 13:16-41]), the whole city comes out to hear him, but the Jews get jealous and oppose him. But the Gentiles honour the word of the Lord, and the word spreads [Acts 13:48-49].
We are also called to witness to Jesus, to spread the message everywhere. This is not just the job of ministers, but for all Jesus-followers. Some like Paul and Barnabas may have a special assignment, but all are called. As we do this, we will receive a variety of responses. It’s not about us, it about Jesus. All we can do is speak the word, then allow it to have its effect. Some will accept, some will reject, and some will be hurtful. Nevertheless, we move on. The message is the seed, and it WILL spread. The King is on the throne, the kingdom is unfolding, and we are extending it.
Will I spread the word of the Lord today?
PRAYER:
Lord, help me not just study the bible, help me to spread the message. And remind me to leave the results up to You!
He who has an ear to ear, let him hear the word of the Lord. Theisciples proclaimed the Good News and were filled with joy and the Spirit. Many heard, but there were those, even among the religious people who ‘hardened their hearts’ because they were not in the lime light. He must become greater. His word must be heard. How will I be a messenger of the Good News today so others may hear in order to have true life?
Make me a living witnes Lord.
Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.