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.
Paul was a great speaker. The people listened and didn’t want to miss a word, until . . . until he said that He was to proclaim the Good News to the non-Jews. That brought division and derision, so much so that they wanted to kill him. The great commission Christ gave when He ascended was to proclaim the Good News to all. Christ wanted His people to be messengers to all. The Jews failed to realize their task and became keepers of the Word. They no longer listened nor saw what their task was.
Thank You Lord for rasing people like Paul who continue to proclaim to all the Good news that Jesus saves. Open my ears Lord and my eyes that I may see You. Thank You Lord that Your saving grace is for all who have ears to hear.
Far and near the fields are teeming
With the waves of ripened grain;
Far and near their gold is gleaming
O’er the sunny slope and plain.
Lord of harvest, send forth reapers!
Hear us, Lord, to Thee we cry;
Send them now the sheaves to gather
Ere the harvest time pass by.
Send them forth with morn’s first beaming,
Send them in the noontide’s glare;
When the sun’s last rays are gleaming,
Bid them gather everywhere.
O thou, whom thy Lord is sending,
Gather now the sheaves of gold;
Heav’nward then at evening wending,
Thou shalt come with joy untold.