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!
God’s Spirit continues to work. Barnabas and Saul , after fasting and praying were set apart for their special task – proclaiming the Word of God. At this time the Word of the Lord was spread by preaching it – telling the people what you and I can read in the Bible. Those who heard the Story had a choice – to accept or reject that Word – the Light that gives meaning to all of life – the building of His Kingdom – serving the Master.
Eyes that sees and eyes that do not see. Upon hearing the Word, there were Jews who became jealous of the following of the people. These were blinded by their own ways and tried to regain their popularity. But God’s people must follow His command, the working of His Spirit in them, to share His Light and not their own light. The Word of the Lord has and will remain but man’s word will pass away.
God did and still does give the increase. I just need to follow His directives by prayer, reading His Word and follow the Spirit’s directives for my Life in Him. I am not my own but bought with a price for Kingdom service. Help me this day Lord to proclaim the Good News in my corner of Your world.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in
you.
Chorus:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled 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
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Chorus:
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal
life.