And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Acts 13:42
A new radio station was being set up in another province where a friend of mine had gone to work. To my great surprise, he called me one day while I was at work and asked me if I would be interested in coming to the new station to run its news department. The offer was a genuine surprise, and I told Dave that I would have to think about it. Dave then asked me if Mike, one of my fellow workers, was there. So I passed the phone to Mike. Mike apparently didn’t need any time to think about it, because within two minutes he was the news director of the new radio station. Just as in our text today, some people can benefit from other people’s uncertainty and reluctance.
Paul and Barnabas had been invited to speak to the congregation of the synagogue in Antioch, Pisidia. Paul’s clear Gospel message had been aimed at the Jewish folks in that city, and he had attracted considerable attention. Some of the folks who heard him were saved and joined themselves to Paul and Barnabas to be taught of them. But most of the congregation was not convinced; they needed more time to consider this new message. And as they pondered, the Gentiles came forward to express a strong interest in hearing the Gospel. This reminds me very much of the conditions under which the Gospel is being preached today in North America. Faithful preachers are continuing their work with Gospel series after Gospel series, children’s meetings, visitation, Seed Sowers campaigns, and tract distribution. And yet, the level of apathy among the population in both Canada and the United States continues to grow. Few people attend meetings or show any interest at all in their eternal welfare. Spiritual issues are shrugged off as irrelevant by people who can hear the Gospel any time they want, and who are too occupied with the pleasures and affairs of this world to worry about the next. But while all of this is discouraging the preachers here, the missionaries in places like Mexico are finding far more doors and opportunities for Gospel outreach than they can possibly handle.
Paul and Barnabas turned their attention from the hesitating Jews to the willing Gentiles in Antioch. And God blessed in salvation. Perhaps it is time for us to turn more of our Gospel efforts from the reluctant and apathetic folks around us to the more willing mission fields of Mexico and other places. Something to think about, even through we want to see those around us to continue to hear the message too. -Jim MacIntosh