Who Do You Avoid?

Who Do You Avoid?

Acts 13:13-14

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. Thoughts for Today: You might have noticed by now, that one of the first things Paul does when he arrives in a new city or town is go to the local synagogue on the Sabbath. Why did he always go there first? One of the clues is given to us in Romans 1:16, when Paul writes "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Was Paul guilty of giving preferential treatment to the Jews? I don't think so; rather he was simply following biblical tradition. The Jews had been promised through Scripture a deliverer and King, who would also be a comfort to them. This Messiah had been prophesied about and anticipated for thousands of years, so I think Paul felt he had an obligation to let the Jews know the Messiah had come in the person of Jesus Christ before he spoke to the Gentiles. Wouldn't you feel the same obligation? Wouldn't you want your "people" to know fir! st? Wouldn't you be anxious to tell them? Some of us might stop right there, and say "No, I wouldn't be anxious to tell them because I know how my people are, they are stubborn, set in their ways, and they won't believe me. I would rather tell strangers who might be a little more open minded." Paul had every reason to feel the same way because in almost every situation, following his speaking and teaching about Jesus, the Jews ran him out of town, many times with threats of death. But that didn't stop him, he wrote "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." So he would overcome his fear for his life and feelings of rejection and embarrassment, then he would start with the Jews (his people) -- first! Questions to Ponder: When it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, who do you start with first, or rather who do you avoid? Is it a parent or close friend? Are you afraid of embarrassment, ridicule or something worse? How can you overcome your fear and rely solely on "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes"? Make a list of 3-5 people close to you who do not know Jesus. Pray regularly for them. Look for opportunities to talk with them. Invite them to lunch or coffee. See if they will come to church with you. Don't let fear of rejection stop you in your tracks.