Concluding the Historical Narrative

Scripture: Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen! Acts 28:28

Observation: The last recorded words of Paul are this ... that God is redeeming the Gentiles, because the Jews won't listen. Paul has used the Jewish scriptures, laws, and prophets, to persuade the Jews about Jesus, but concludes it with a passage straight out of Isaiah predicting that the Jews will refuse to listen and will turn away from God. Again. The Jews ... with God now leaving them behind, and soon their nation to once again removed and Jerusalem overrun and occupied ... are once again in exile.

And with that, Paul - and by way of the narrative of Acts, the Church - turns its focus on the Gentiles, and in partnering with the people of "Roman world". We know Paul spends two years teaching in Rome, and we know from history how others spread the word to the rest of the Roman empire.

Application: This is the moment of the closure of the 'historical' accounts of the Bible, as the remaining books are letters written mostly prior to this moment and sent to believers. It is sad. God chose a family through whom to bring about salvation to the world, and that family repeatedly ignored him.

Just like I do. How God puts up with my daily wandering and stiff-necked attitude, I do not know. My pride and failures are profound and continual. I deserve to have God turn his back on me, and go forward to other people to save them.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus! I believe in salvation through faith, and I know that I could never possibly be saved through any other means. I cannot be good enough. I fail you daily, and I am so very, very sorry for that. Please forgive me, and please continue to be patient with me. I honestly seek and new, softer heart, a heart that yearns only for your goodness, and that loves others greatly. May I continue to grow, with your aid and with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.