“From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.’

 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: ‘Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!’

‘…After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

 ‘From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.’“
Acts 13:14-16,22-23

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FEBRUARY 11, 2025

From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas sailed to Perga on the southern coast of Asia Minor, then traveled inland to the city of Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath, the two entered the local synagogue and listened as the Scriptures were read. Then the local leaders extended an invitation to these visitors to share a word of encouragement.

Paul was ready to speak for the Lord. He recognized both the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles present, and started recounting the story of God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. He began on common ground, sharing a narrative familiar to all present. Then Paul made an announcement that God had brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, according to His promise—clearly proclaiming Jesus the Messiah!

Paul described the ministry of John the Baptist as the forerunner to the Messiah. Interesting, isn’t it? We get the impression that the Jews of faraway Pisidian Antioch were aware of these recent events in Judea. Jews of the diaspora traveled to Jerusalem for various feasts and surely brought back local news to share with the community at home. Perhaps they had some familiarity with John and Jesus. But Paul strove to remove any doubt about the identity of Jesus as the Messiah.

Because of our present-day perspective of Jesus as the Savior of the world, we cannot appreciate the gravity of Paul’s statement in the hearing of the those gathered in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch in the first century. Paul was adding a brand-new chapter to the sacred history he had just recounted, proclaiming Jesus to be the intervention of God into creation! Who had ever heard or even conceived of anything so unexpected? How could this possibly be true? We can imagine a murmur rippling through the gathering after hearing Paul’s bold words.

The gospel itself is a radical concept. To consider that the Creator walked with a physical, human body upon this same earth we live in is boggling to the mind. But even more startling is His purpose in doing so. He came from heaven to earth experiencing indifference and rejection by the people He made and loved in order to save us. He came to be our Savior.

Who would ever do such a thing? Only a God of love who pursues men and women, boys and girls, to be in relationship with Himself. Only a personal God who desires lost people, each of whom He knows by name, to receive His mercy and grace.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What might be common ground today for initiating a gospel conversation? Depending on the person, some possibilities might be the beauty of creation, the need for integrity in business dealings or in science, examples of self-sacrifice on behalf of others, the complexity of life forms, etc. The transition from common ground to the gospel could be sharing your own story!
  • How could you weave a topic of conversation into beginning your story?
  • Do you realize how much God loves each person you come in contact with every day?

 

Church Reading Plan: Genesis 44; Mark 14