Day 348.
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:28, 30, 31 ESV)
This is the end of Acts, which is the last of the historical books of the Bible. Luke has followed the proclamation of the gospel beginning in Jerusalem at Pentecost, then in Samaria and Judea, and then throughout Asia Minor and Rome, representative of the “ends of the earth”. The book concludes with this proclamation that directs us to carry forward the work of proclaiming and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, which means nations (other than Israel). This is where we fit into the unfolding of God’s plan for history. We are in the “last days”, the epoch in which the kingdom is proclaimed to all the world before the perfected kingdom comes fully.
Paul took advantage of his station in life (prisoner under guard) to proclaim and teach, giving us a model to take advantage of our station in life to do the same. For whom can you pray to receive Christ? To whom can you proclaim and teach the gospel?
Lord, give me boldness that I too might proclaim without hindrance the gospel to those I meet even this week. Help me to see the fields as white, ready for the harvest. Equip me to be a fisher of men.
