May 11 - Called to Evangelize

Acts 17:10-15

Susan Gleeson
blog by Nancy Gleeson

My husband’s 87 year old mother died last month. She is one of the many nursing home residents who were without family during the pandemic. She died of natural causes but her death may have been prompted by the removal of the love and attention she needed while residing alone in a nursing facility.

Sadness is common among many of us separated from loved ones. We aren’t able to comfort them. We can’t be with them to say good-bye and we won’t join together with others who loved them, too. None of it feels good or makes sense at a spiritual level.
What can be done in response to so much pain with so many of us needing something powerful to heal our wounds?  Perhaps it's possible to speak into people’s hearts during this time and spread the gospel message.  Might others be in such a unique state, realizing their personal need for a Savior, that they are able to hear the truth?  Without non essentials, non believers may be prepared to listen more closely to how the gift of Jesus is for them.

We are waging war with an enemy whose plot seems to be against our very survival. This virus may be persecuting humanity but it cannot stop the grace and healing of God. For God resurrects new life from pain and death. At this time, unlike any other we have known, there may be a readiness of mind that prepares everyone to receive the truth and spirit of our Heavenly Father.

Character Counts

Before we digest what is happening today, we need a little back-story. Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica preaching and teaching, but there was an element there who wanted to destroy the message these two were bringing.  They wanted to kill the messengers too, and a mob was formed to try and do that. As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. (Acts 17:10)

The Bereans are described as having a more noble character then the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day..." (Acts 17:11)

Paul and Silas were still not out of danger.  The Thessalonians learned of Paul's continued preaching and Berea and sent their agitators there to work up the crowds and endanger Paul.  Again Paul left the town and moved on to the next. It would seem that evil was working overtime, but so was the Holy Spirit.

What is the point being made today?  Neither Paul and Silas nor any of the Believers who had been commissioned by Jesus' Words in Matthew 28:19, "go therefore and make disciples of all nations," were willing to stop their work when their lives were threatened.  No, they simply moved on to the next town.

We would do well to take this example to heart.  We are only called to share the Good News, to build relationships with those who don't know the story of Jesus.  It is not our responsibility to change the hearts of the people, only to prepare them to hear the truth. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

 Acts 17:10-15