Shake off the dust

Today's Reading Acts 13:13-52
NOTE: While we are in Acts, I'll add a link for daily reading in case you want to read both chapters before we have class. Just click on the text reference above and it will take you directly to http://biblegateway.com and the verses for the day.

Context:
Paul and his companions sailed to Pisidian Antioch (please note this is not the Antioch where they started this first missionary journey) and they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Upon the request of the rulers, Paul told how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and many of the Jews followed him to hear more. The following week almost the whole city gathered to hear Paul preach and the Jewish leaders were jealous and began speaking abusively against Paul and Barnabas.

Today's verses -- Acts 13:46-52

⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
" 'I have made you^a]">[a] a light for the Gentiles,
that you^b]">[b] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'^c]">[c]"

⁴⁸When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

⁴⁹The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. ⁵²And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
2. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
3. Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

I wonder what it must have felt like to be a Gentile in those days. The Good News had always been preached first to the Jews and most likely not many had heard of the few times Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit up to this point. I imagine they stood outside the synagogue (because they weren't allowed in) or on the edges of the crowd anxious to understand what all the excitement was about.

If they heard the message and believed, did they think that they first had to become a Jew to receive the gifts of Christ and the Holy Spirit? Were they facing the pain of circumcision and significant life changes due to all of those rules? It says that they were glad when they heard that Paul and Barnabas were commanded to turn to the Gentiles -- what a relief that must have been! They honored the word of the Lord and they believed.

I do find Paul's words interesting in verse 46. Instead of berating the Jews for their disbelief, he instead lays full blame for their decision at their feet, "Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life . . .." I wonder how that technique would work today for some of the folks we witness to? I imagine we'd have to use those words carefully.

It would have been easy for Paul and Barnabas to be discouraged as they left Pisidian Antioch since they were expelled from the region amidst great persecution, however the text tells us they were filled with joy as they shook the dust from their feet (verse 52). Aren't you discouraged when you give others good news and advice that can change their lives forever but they refuse to listen -- they even go so far as to tell you to butt out of their lives? We've had several situations in our lives where we have had direct experience and training in the very thing others are struggling with, but even when they requested our help they refused to believe our recommendations were better than the way they had always done it. And to be honest, we were never filled with joy as we watched them continue to struggle.

Maybe we need to shake the dust off of our feet and admit that they have rejected the advice and they don't consider themselves worthy of what it is they seek. Let them take the responsibility for their choices and move on to other areas, allowing ourselves to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and work in areas where His light can shine more brightly.

I wish it were as easy to do as it is to type. . .