Read:
Paul was a Jew, and for generations the Jewish people had seen themselves as God’s chosen people—because God had called them that when he led them out of Egypt. But over time, many came to believe that God’s plan for salvation was mainly to rescue them from their enemies. They missed what God had said all along: that a Savior would die for sin and that salvation would be for the whole world—including Gentiles.
Throughout history, God has sent missionaries to share the good news of Jesus with those who hadn’t heard. In the early church, Paul acted as a missionary, too.
While the apostle Peter stayed in Jerusalem to help lead there, God called Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles across the Roman Empire. But Paul and his companions always went to the synagogues first. God’s promise had come to Israel first—it was almost like giving them the “right of first refusal” before offering it to others. When the synagogue leaders rejected Paul’s message, he would share it with the Gentiles instead.
Paul explained that this truth had been hidden for many generations but was now revealed to God’s people—Jew and Gentile alike. And what was the big reveal? That Christ lives in you.
In the Old Testament, God lived among the Israelites but was separated from them by the curtain in the Temple. Now, through Jesus, there is no separation—the Holy Spirit lives inside every person who believes.
Pray: Dear God, it humbles me that you chose me—not because of anything I’ve done, but because you are loving and merciful. You’ve placed me here, in this time and place. Help me tell people about you, right where I live. Amen.