They Will Listen (Acts 28:28)

 


Saturday, 13 September, 2025


Psalm 35:1-17

1 Kings 9:15-28

Acts 28:17-31


Observance: Cyprian of Carthage, bishop and martyr (d. 258)


They Will Listen (Acts 28:28)


Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.


Poor St Paul, so dedicated to the idea of his people, the Jews, coming to faith in their Messiah. Having reached the beating heart of the Roman Empire, he finally gets his chance to preach in the synagogue there, but comes to the realisation that the ancient prophecies were right all along: God’s salvation is not just for them, but for the whole world.


And aren’t we lucky that this is the case! As we read this alongside the historical account of 1 Kings, with all that stuff about the Gentiles being slaves under the people of Israel, who themselves were the soldiers, officials, commanders, captains and so on, we can get an idea of where St Paul might have been coming from. Through history God had shown a special preference for a certain group of people.


But in the revelation of Jesus Christ, we see that preference is not towards a group of people based on their family tree or anything like that. In fact, we might not be able to define how God makes his preferences at all. All we know is that God has put out the hand of friendship, and some receive it gladly. They listen to God and his message of salvation.


How did you become one who listens to God about his salvation? Who around you might benefit from listening?


God of our salvation, whose love covers all that you have made: give us ears ready to listen to you, that we may be salt and light, the pleasant fragrance of heaven, wherever we go in your name.

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