~~~ Acts of the Apostles 13:13-25 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~
~~~ John 13:16-20 ~~~
I know those whom I have chosen.
Paul stands in the synagogue and recaps
the history of the Israelite people.
He reminds those listening of the prophets...
their crossing in the desert.
He continues to point out God's presence and promises.
How God gave them a king, which they requested.
Finally he speaks of specific tribes,
like the tribe of Benjamin.
This is all leading up to the prophecy of Jesus.
Paul also includes the prophecy of John the Baptist.
For some reason we may not understand
the prophecies concerning Jesus were rejected by the elders.
We can only imagine how frustrated
Paul must have been.
Maybe he just wanted to shake
them into opening their hearts.
...whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me
receives the one who sent me.
How do you handle change?
The people listening to Paul were faced
with having to decide how they would
accept or not accept change.
It is easy to resist change when you are
comfortable with the present.
Today we are faced with changes
as a regular part of life.
In Biblical times change came more slowly.
They did not have technology to keep them up to date.
They did not have day to day information.
The more set you get in your ways
the less open you become to change in general.
Jesus brought about a major change.
His presence challenged the beliefs of many
who regularly came to the synagogue.
It seems that his message still meets resistance today.
I invite you to be part of the change Jesus envisioned.
We are still called to be the ones who live out
his vision of love and mercy.
Blessed to have his taking the lead for us.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
~~~Peace~~~
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