SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:19-30
OBSERVATION:
The message of Jesus is spilling over beyond the Jews to all the nations. The persecution fulfills Jesus commission to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Lord confirms His purpose to bless all nations by granting huge success to the witness of these early believers. The sharing of the blessing is then seen in how these Gentile believers turn around and bless their Jewish brothers and sisters during the famine – the evidence of the grace of God (see 2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
APPLICATION:
God’s original plan, that remains true to this day, is to share His blessing through His people. Blessed to be a blessing (2 Corinthians 8:13-15, 9:11). This was Abraham’s calling, though his children forgot this. And this is what we need to remember today. God has poured out His Spirit of grace on all nations, so that all people will have the opportunity to taste and see that He is good. The Jews were an important part of the plan of God, but God’s family has always included all nations, not just the Jews. All who believe are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:26-29).
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for blessing me beyond my deserving, and for continuing to challenge me to be a blessing. I am slow to learn, but help me to overflow with Your grace to all people, not just those I like or am comfortable with. Amen.