Acts 28:25-31 (NIV)

25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Reflection:

In this last chapter of Acts, Isaiah 6:9-10 is quoted by Paul in order to show why and how the gospel is now moving to the Gentiles (Gentiles just means “nations” in Greek). This is not saying that the time of salvation for Israel is over, but rather that it is now fully available and open to the nations. Therefore, the way Paul interprets Isaiah 6:9-10 is that God’s Word, the gospel, is never contained nor detained by people’s hardness or circumstances. The word of the Lord will always move forward.

Responding to the Transmission:

As God’s word is always moving forward, let’s spend some time praying that we would be able to continually move forward with Him in our calling and in sharing the Word. May we not be discouraged by circumstances or when people don’t respond the way we want. Instead, let’s make the shift to believing that God’s Word will always fulfill the purpose for which God has given it. May our trust be firm in God and His Word for our lives and for the lives of others.