Jesus took His message to the Jews, His own people, for He came from among them. He brought them the message of the Kingdom, but they rejected Him. What did He do? He then took the message to the Gentiles—to the rest of the world. And even today, many continue to receive that message. Paul experienced the same thing. As a Jew, he first preached to the Jews, but they argued with him and rejected his message even though he was one of them. They knew him as the man who once persecuted Christians, and when he turned to Christ, they wouldn’t listen to him. Many of them even turned against him. But Paul didn’t let that stop him.
When the Jews wouldn’t accept his message, he turned to the Gentiles and had great success. Your focus should be on those who are open to receiving the Gospel. Luke captured some of these. In Acts 13:46, for example, the Bible says, “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” Also, Acts 18:6 tells us, “But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Apply the same principle. Don’t allow those who reject your message to determine the condition of your spirit or your mood. Pray for them, intercede on their behalf, but don’t let their rejection control your heart. Focus on winning others.
As you succeed in reaching more people, one day, those who rejected your message will be provoked by your success and drawn to Christ, just as the Bible tells us that the Jews will be provoked by the salvation of the Gentiles and eventually believe in Jesus Christ. Stay encouraged and press on; keep your focus on the mission, knowing that as you prosper in the work of the Lord, others will be drawn to your light.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the wisdom of your Word that guides me to focus on reaching more and more people with the Gospel. Even now, many are drawn to your message of salvation and are converted and established in your Word as your children minister the Gospel around the world today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
