Devotions

Rev Gav

Being

Acts 13.46–49

Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God (the gospel) should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal (now and forever) life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

"I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." '

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord (the gospel message); and as many as had been destined for eternal (now and forever) life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord (gospel message) spread throughout the region.

Reflect

Throughout the gospels, Jesus bore witness that the gospel must first be preached to the Jews before being preached to the Gentiles, and that this fulfilled the prophecy found in Isaiah 49.5-6 where God spoke about the coming Messiah:

(The LORD God) says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

(Isaiah 49.6)

This is also the very quote used by Paul and Barnabas to justify their own actions of first preaching to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, but note — and this is important — Paul and Barnabas say this scripture refers to them! They say, “For so the Lord has commanded us.”

Woah! Hang on!! Paul and Barnabas took a scripture directly related to the Messiah — to Jesus Christ — and applied it to themselves!

We, as Christians — as disciples of Jesus — are now (in the absence of the rabbi) his representatives, agents, or ambassadors in the world. As Paul asserted in his letters, we are literally one with Christ, the Spirit of Christ lives in us, and we are the body of Christ. We therefore carry the full weight of both Christ’s authority and Christ’s mandate. If you see a Christian, you are seeing Jesus, and the two cannot be separated.

If you think back to the very first time Paul encountered Jesus on that road to Damascus, remember what Jesus said? “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Me. Paul was persecuting Christians, but by doing so, he was persecuting Jesus Christ.

Yup! It’s a bit of a mind-bend, but this is the reality, and it has massive implications for how we join in with the mission and ministry of God in the world. As Peter put it in his first letter, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Yes, you are royalty — think on that!

At FAB there is a phrase we use and it is, “Help me be Jesus to the world.” It is not “Help me be like Jesus to the world,” but “Help me be Jesus to the world.”

As always, this is my prayer for you, that you will be Jesus to all you meet today, therefore, go and be fabulous!

Pray

Holy God
Thank you that
I am one with you
and one with my fellow
church members.
As we are called
to be a light
that will bring salvation
to the ends of the earth,
may we proclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord
and be witnesses
to your unending love.
Now and forever.