SCRIPTURE: Acts 22
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth [Matthew 8:11-12].
Paul’s speech goes just fine until he gets to the part about the gentiles [Acts 22:21-22].
At this, they gnash their teeth [see also Acts 7:54].
Jesus warned the religious leaders that their attitudes would exclude them from the eternal feast.
This was the exact opposite of what they believed, assuming that they would be the messiah’s special guests, getting the best seats in the house.
They just had no love for gentiles (i.e. non Jews, the non-chosen people).
They failed to accept that God’s mission was to bless the nations through them [Genesis 12:1-2].
They refused to accept that the messiah was to be a light for the gentiles [Luke 2:32].
God’s final feast is going to be a party, a surprise party.
Many people are going to be surprised at who God accepts.
In fact, they will be furious. They will gnash their teeth in anger.
They will have no room for grace. Grace means that we do not deserve God’s welcome.
It is a free gift.
It is given to those who humbly trust in God for mercy.
This is the opposite of pride, which assumes ‘I deserve this’ or ‘I belong here’.
Paul himself is a living example of grace [1 Timothy 1:15-16].
Even though he at one time was responsible for the suffering and death of christians, now he is an ambassador for the messiah and the message of grace.
And that message belongs just as much to the gentiles as it does to the Jews.
This is the good news, God’s grace is amazing.
It even allows me to be there.
Each one of us does not deserve to be included… but we are.
And the people that we think do not deserve to be there, they can be there too.
Anyone, no matter what background or status in life, is covered by God’s amazing grace.
Many of the Jews of Jesus and Paul’s day were too self-absorbed to accept this.
Thankfully the message of grace won the day, and today many gentiles (including us) are now anticipating the eternal mercy feast with Jesus.
Instead of gnashing our teeth in fury, let is testify with our lips in wonder, declaring with Paul the wonderful message that everyone is welcome to the table of the Lord!
PRAYER:
Lord, impress upon my heart the extreme wonder of Your grace, for me and for ALL sinners.
Open my eyes Lord.
Paul thought he could see when he started his ministry. He couldn’t because he was persecuting God’s people . . . until his eyes were opened and he could see what in fact he was doing. Instead of being PaulStrong he became GodStrong and SpiritDriven.
The crowd, including he religious leaders, thought they owned the Way and that all must be like them to enter God’s family. Their way was the only way they thought because they were blinded in their way. They couldn’t see God’s way . . . they were blinded and did not get the vision needed. ManStrong. ManDriven.
There is no distinction in the family of God – whether Jew or Gentile. By His power all are His children – kids of the kingdom – if we but see. That is only a possibility of His power at work in us and through us.
1. God gives His people strength.
If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay
All those who bear the burden of the day
God gives His people strength.
2. God gives His people hope
If we but trust in His word, our prayers are always heard
He warmly welcomes anyone who’s erred.
God gives His people hope.
3. God gives His people love
If we but open wide our hearts, He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start.
God gives His people love.
4. God gives His people peace.
When sorrow fills us to th
e brim, and courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.