Getting His Attention

     Paul the Israelite wrote to Roman believers that while Israel would again fall on hard times, there will be "a remnant chosen by grace." 

     Not only Jews, but those of other "faiths" and atheists have opportunity - not to become Christians, per se. Someone in Antioch - not God - began calling believers "Christians," and it stuck.  

     The Lord calls people to the "Way." It is the Way of the cross. The narrow way to forgiveness is the Son of God's sacrifice on our behalf. We follow him rather than worldly ways. He gave us knowledge in print, and he lives within us by his Spirit.  

     We don't choose Christ. He chooses those who come to him in repentance. Unlike Muslims, Jews may keep their traditions. There was no law when God approved Abraham's faith.   

     If suffering follows, well, Jesus suffered and died first. 

     So, how did elite, Pharisee Saul find the "Way?" In his special case, Jesus spoke to him from heaven with a blinding light, asking, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 

     "Who are you sir?" Saul asked. 

     I am Jesus. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do. 

     More miracles followed. In a vision the Lord told a man where to find Saul and what Saul was chosen to accomplish. And Saul himself had a vision of the man who would come and restore his sight. 

     The Lord told wary follower, Ananias, This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles ... and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

     Saul thereafter was called Paul. He received the Holy Spirit, left Damascus at night, over the wall to elude would-be killers, and began to preach in the synagogues. 

     Opposition forced him to relocate to Tarsus, but that region of the world had not seen the last of apostle Paul. 

Tomorrow: Peter's vision 

The Call to All  

     God had spent some 15 centuries of human time - maybe 15 days as he might count it - to this point.

     It will be difficult for Jews, especially the rulers, to accept change. They are loved, but many cannot accept the turning point of history ... the holy of holies opened to Gentiles. B.C. to A.D. 

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

     Arguments ensue. Stephen is stoned to death. Believers must flee - bad - and begin to take the news to the world - good! There are Jewish converts. They insist Gentiles follow Jewish customs. 

     God calls his narrow road the "Way." Jesus had said, I am the way, the truth and the life. 

     The temple curtain miraculously ripped from top to bottom, opening the inner sanctuary - God's presence - to all who repent and humbly seek the Savior. Come...for I will give you rest. 

     God still loves the children of Abraham. Amos, chapter 9: 

     "Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom ... yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob," declares the Lord.    "In that day, I will restore David's fallen tent..." 

     Romans, chapter 11:

     Did God reject his people? By no means! I (Paul) am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. ...there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works. What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain...

     Again I ask, Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgressions, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater will their fullness bring? 

Tomorrow: Unlikely servant

       

The Alternate Road  

     Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives - many witnesses saw this - the disciples were assembled on the day of Pentecost (The 50th day, seventh Sunday, from Easter). 

     Attendees included Jews from at least 12 other nations. Three decades later, Dr. Luke, a Gentile, educated historian, who investigated all that had happened during those times, wrote:

     "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them (the disciples)." 

     "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ...each one heard them speaking in his own language."

     Luke wrote that the foreigners were "amazed and perplexed. Some made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.'" 

     Peter, led by the Spirit, pointed out that it was only 9 in the morning. He went on to tell everyone what they needed to know. Read it in Acts 2. 

     This was not the exhuberant fisherman we once knew. The frightened man who lied to save himself was now ready to die for his faith in Jesus, if necessary. Nor were the other disciples ever the same. 

     Luke wrote Acts for Gentile converts who had no background in Jewish history. In the gospel of Luke he wrote of the births of John and Jesus, the genealogy of Jesus from Adam, and about demons, and the Lord's many teachings.

Tomorrow: Call to All

 

  

 

Monday: Enter Dr. Luke

Is it Time, Lord?   

     Jesus was with his disciples for the last time before he returned to the Father, 40 days after his resurrection. All his followers are descendants of Abraham. 

     He commanded them: Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised... For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

     As if that shockwave blew right over their heads, what they really wanted to know: "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" - Acts 1:6

     He answered, It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria 

...so far so good...

and to the ends of the earth.  

     "Whoa!" they might have howled. We agreed to follow him...here in Judea. We didn't sign up for this! Where is the end, anyway? Rome?  Egypt? Babylon? Are there Jews we didn't know about at the ends of the earth? And what is "baptized by the Holy Spirit?"  

     Jesus was miraculously taken up before their eyes. Maybe he will return soon and explain everything.

     Two angels miraculously appeared with them, saying, "This same Jesus ... will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

     Oh, good. That's a relief. He'll be back!  

     Meanwhile, all they can do is trust and obey.

Monday: The Gentile investigator

A Moment in God's Time

     The miracles of resurrection and ascension are complete. 

     God's grand purpose unfolds in Jerusalem, the "beautiful city." 

     In this moment of God's time, Adam's fallen descendants now have opportunity for forgiveness. And God himself is available, to live within them. With God nothing is impossible. 

     Satan will continue to deceive, for centuries to come. But Satan's days are numbered.

     The Lord turns his full attention to the entire world. It is his creation. He wants it back. That is, he wants the souls of those made in his image to spend eternity with him, eventually in a new heaven and earth. 

     The deal? Angels saw him, and disobeyed. Humans don't see him, yet some will believe, shaming the fallen angels.

     People will cancel other people, but God welcomes souls who believe in the Son, people who trust and obey. Those who die once, but not twice. 

     On the outside, there are differences, but every soul is loved and has a narrow road, a narrow gate through which to escape the coming wrath.

     Salvation through Christ is offered, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

     Miracles help. Old Testament Scriptures help. New Testament Scriptures provide additional details. 

     The Lord captured Saul, the Pharisee of Pharisees and directed him to an alternate road, under the name Paul. He suffered much to carry the good news to Gentiles, while intensely concerned about fellow Jews who refused to believe. 

     Abraham's son was spared when God provided a lamb to die in his place. We who believe - daily - are spared by the grace and mercy of the Lamb of God who died in our place. And rose to life. 

     We welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit to help and to guide. 

Tomorrow: Good news underway

     

     

     

The Objective   

     U.S. 19 is a broad road through the county. Most anything a person needs can be bought on this busy road.  

     However, to reach a world-famous beach, one must turn off 19 and follow an alternative to the beautiful coast. Alt 19 doesn't offer the opportunities available on U.S. 19.  

     However, Alt 19 leads to blue skies, ocean sparkling in the sun, sand, sea shells, beach chairs and more. 

     The disciples brought their 153 miracle fish to the shore, fried some over the fire Jesus prepared, and ate heartily. 

     Peter and the others had spent their lives traveling the broad road. They expect their Messiah will join them there, in the Promised Land. No more Roman overlords.  

     They still don't understand their teacher suffered the penalty all deserve. Or that he will offer salvation to all who believe, becoming the true children of Abraham, genetic or not.  

     The broad road remains their identity, which God indeed will reward ... someday. Future blessings are in store. But, for each individual to be part of that blessed number, he or she must first walk the narrow way, the alternative. And they must share the road with believers of different identities. 

     Breakfast over, Jesus asks Peter, who had lied three times about being a disciple, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Again, Simon, son of John, do you truly love me? Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Once more, Simon, do you love me? 

     Peter was hurt. "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

     Jesus had used a word for unconditional love. Peter answered with a word for personal friendship. 

     Jesus: Follow me. You must follow me. 

Tomorrow: Two imperatives for salvation