The reading today takes us to the last words of the Apostle Paul in Acts 28:23-31. I was especially captured by the last three verses. Paul is under house arrest in Rome and able to received visitors. A group of Jews had been visiting him and he was trying to convince them from the Law of Moses and the Prophets that Jesus is the Messiah and that the Kingdom of God had come. Some were convinced, some were not, and they all left arguing.
Then we read these words.
These words summarize the point of the entire New Testament. The salvation of God is not exclusive to the Jews, but expansive to all people. I was encouraged and reminded that the description of Paul’s activities in the last two verses is my job description and life’s calling. It has three parts:
- Welcome ALL.
- Proclaim the Kingdom of God. It is a present and continually unfolding reality of God’s reign and re-creative presence in all things.
- Teach about the Lord Jesus Christ. Help people understand how the scriptures point to Jesus and how the life example, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the centering agent for everything.
May God give me the boldness to carry out this mission.
