Initial Success

June 30

(Acts 13:42-44 NIV) “As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. {43} When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. {44} On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.”

(Matthew 4:23-25 NIV) “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. {24} News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. {25} Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.”

As Paul preached the good news of Jesus, there were those who wanted to hear more on the subject. Not everyone was hostile to the gospel, and so Paul and Barnabas were invited back to speak on the next Sabbath. When they returned the next week, the place was packed out. Just about everyone in the city was in attendance. The same kind of large crowds were attracted to Jesus early in His ministry. There are always some who are open to new things. There are always some who are seeking life in every city. Likewise, there will always be people who do not want to hear, and if we focus on these negative frowners and gripers we will only get frustrated. The gospel of God’s grace is a grand truth that has the power to positively change lives. There will always be some who recognize that, and some who don’t. Time is short. Preach to the living and to those seeking life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day