And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Acts 13:15
An older couple showed up one Sunday morning desiring to break bread with the Assembly. They presented a letter of commendation from an Assembly in a distant province, and so were welcomed. After we had partaken of the emblems, and the offering was taken, one of the local brothers nodded to the visitor, indicating that if he had a word for us, he was welcome to do so. The little man arose, and read a portion in a high, squeaky voice. Then he began to speak in that same unusual voice. But he had a good message, and we endured his presentation because he had something good to teach us. Not all visiting brethren are good speakers, although it is an accepted custom among us to accord them the opportunity to speak if they wish. And in doing so, we have heard some very interesting messages. But none so interesting as what the folks in the synagogue in Antioch, Pisidia, heard the day that Paul and Barnabas came to visit.
Everything changed for the folks who attended that synagogue that day. They were accustomed to hearing the Word of God read, and apparently were also accustomed to having somebody, probably one of the rulers of the synagogue, give them a sermon based on what was read. Paul and Barnabas were probably not the first visitors to be invited to speak on these occasions. But these folks are in for a treat today! These visitors bring great news; all of the prophecies and promises that they have been reading about and hearing about all their lives have come to pass! On the surface, these people ought to have been ecstatic. In reality, may of them were alarmed, and others were highly sceptical. After all, this was a radical change in how they would respond to the Word of God. Some didn’t want to change; they liked the status quo. Others saw no reason to believe these strangers; who were they to butt in with their newfangled ideas. But some were willing to test the teachings of these strangers by the Word of God, and found to their delight that the message of the arrival of the Messiah and Saviour were indeed compatible with scripture. These folks found salvation and blessing. The same happens today when people are willing to listen to the Gospel and compare it with the Word of God and not with their own ideas and traditions.
Gospel preaching does not always fall on welcoming ears. But when it does, God blesses in salvation. -Jim MacIntosh