Through This Man

Acts 13:26-28, 29-30, 33 - Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. ...But God raised Him from the dead. ... And we declare to you glad tidings--that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. 

I've mentioned in the past that history repeats itself and the Book of Job tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. This concept has got to be part of God's plan that we might learn from others' past mistakes. But we are, as the people of Israel were, a stubborn lot. We are convinced we are capable of ruling ourselves without Divine guidance. We've celebrated our Independence Day. Have we learned enough about Divine guidance in the founding of this land? 

As I read Acts 13:26-32 a catch in my spirit caused me to think how this relates so much to us today. The Apostle Paul is speaking to believers in Philippi. He is referring to the Jews of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. He is relating the prophetic words spoken years prior about the Christ, the Messiah, who was to come...and whom these people had seen and either received Him or rejected Him.

Acts 13:26 refers to those who follow Christ today, who fear Him. We have received the Gospel message and have taken it to heart. Israel was the original "Abraham's seed." Israel's Jews are God's chosen people. Because of their constant disobedience and wandering away from the One who delivered them time and time again, God began to include us, Gentiles...mainly as a way to make Israel jealous:  Romans 11:11 - I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. This was part of God's plan since before the beginning of time...something we cannot fully grasp with our limited minds! We who have chosen Christ are part of Abraham's seed by adoption into the family of God...having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5). As Jesus is the Light to us, we (corporately) are to be the light to the Jews and all people.

Here's where my mind has taken me for Acts 13:27 (don't worry, I won't go through each scripture!): the scripture is referring to the Israel of the past. Some of the Jews did not receive Jesus at the time He was living. Certainly not the religious leaders because He was a threat to their way of practicing their religious rites. Their "not knowing Him" in the scripture was their rejection. They knew very well the words of the prophets but did not believe. Jesus told them in their own temple one day who He was: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2. After Jesus had read these words He made a bold statement: Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Luke 4:21.  Oh, how these words were rejected.

So, as Acts 13 continues in verse 28 we see what they chose to do...put Him to death. Why? Because they did not want this single man, so different in His thinking, to cause them to submit to His ways. And what do we see today? People not believing Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life. It's that same stubbornness...the same mentality...take God out of all equations in this world. Take Him out of schools, remove prayer from the public because it is offensive to believe one Man can be so powerful and mighty...and God. How dare any one person be so great?

But here's the good news: although Jesus, Son of God, was crucified, died and was buried, He arose again. And today, despite what anyone wants to think, He is alive and seated on His throne. He will return some day. Jesus will lead the battle against the enemy in a great war. He will win and will begin a millennial reign on this earth where He will reign from Jerusalem. It will be a new earth where no evil will exist. We will work to recreate the devastated land. There will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain. And everyone will know Jesus is King. Oh, how I wish I could explain how everything we see happening today in the world is pointing to that day! 

If we know Jesus as Lord and Savior...with every fiber of our being...we will participate in this new life. We can be the children referred to in verse 33. Knowing Christ, not just knowing of Him, secures the same promises found all throughout the Word. It's all contingent upon our bowing our knees before Jesus today. The world offers a lot of wonderful stuff, but the "stuff" of Jesus is better in the end.

Let's not go the direction of the world and reject this Man who offers so great a salvation. Let's fight with endurance the battle that rages against Him. It's believed that we are in the last days because we see the rejection of God so rampant and the sins of the world growing greater. We could be seeing the results of our disobedience and rejection (like Israel so long ago)...our not taking seriously the Word of God...both in book form and in the form of a single, great and awesome Man. Remember, He arose from the grave. He will return! It's not just some fable. It's not something we've not seen happen yet so why should we believe it ever will. 

Only He is able to forgive sins...not our works, not who we think we are, not our money, not our wisdom. We are not greater than He. We will bend our knees to Him someday, either gladly because we have accepted Him today or with shame should we continue to reject Him. Philippians 2:10-11 - that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  And this is where the question arises, what must I do to be saved?  ...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. It's believing with your whole heart. It's allowing the Lord into every part of your life. It's letting the Holy Spirit direct your paths. Most importantly, it's acknowledging His sovereignty.

Acts 13:38-39 - Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things ...