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Acts 28     English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul in Rome

¹⁷ After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. ¹⁹ But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”²¹ And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

²³ When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. ²⁴ And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. ²⁵ And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁶ “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
²⁷ For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles; they will listen.”

³⁰ He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

 REFLECTION:

• Paul spent two years of imprisonment in Rome welcoming everyone who came to his house. Acts began with a crucifixion turned into a resurrection.  There had been imprisonments, beatings, martyrdoms – not just for Paul but for many members of the early church.  There had been open threats and secret intrigues.  And there had been the more subtle danger of compromise – the pressure to be drawn back into Jewish ritual, absorbed into the old rule-keeping.  Through it all, the gospel of Christ was spread to the world.  Every attempt to confine it, to compromise it, to muffle it, to reject it was in the end ineffective.  It spread from the center of the world in Rome through the far reaches of the globe.
• Acts closes with this image: Paul, opening his home and his heart, preached boldly and without hindrance to all visitors. As he had received hospitality, he offered it to “all who came to him.”  As “God shows no partiality” (10:34), God’s messengers must be similarly inclusive.
• The words “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance ” (v31) summarize not only Paul’s two years in Rome, but his whole Christian life.
• Take a moment to reflect: To what degree would you like v31 to be a summary of your life as well?

PRAYER:

O Heavenly Father, let the heavens declare Your glory, and the firmament proclaim Your handiwork! From this day to that day, I will be still and behold the marvelous splendor of the stars in the universe. From this night to that night, I will attentively listen to the brilliant chapters of nature’s creations! I see the rosy pomegranate slowly growing under the sunlight, the bright apricot hanging down amid the twinkling stars, the graceful willow swaying in the twilight, and the exquisite peach tree unfolding in the morning sun, all adorned with the radiance of Your glory. I hear the birds singing with joy, the flowing water playing a melodious song like silver bells, the thunder resounding in the heavens with triumphant hymns, and the gentle whispers of the breeze among the treetops, all responding to Your loving care. O Heavenly Father, I thank You and praise You! Despite humanity being as humble as the soil and fragile as the reeds, You still look after us! You have given us the gift of intricate wisdom to understand the principles of heaven and earth; You have endowed us with rich souls to appreciate the beauty of all things; and You have granted Your children a pair of spiritual eyes to see Your works that fill the universe and permeate our lives! O Heavenly Father, let the heavens declare Your glory, and the firmament proclaim Your handiwork! I will also declare and proclaim! My declaration shall be like that of the mountains, to make people understand that the kingdom of heaven is near and those with pure hearts are blessed; my proclamation shall be like that of the waters, to make all know that there is a living water that flows to eternal life; my desire shall be like that of the wind, how sweet and enduring it is! O Heavenly Father, may Your Spirit’s wind blow day and night, so that I may diligently declare and boldly proclaim! Amen!

HYMN:

Every Step – youtu.be/zuUkOzu7SU0