Try A Little Kindness

 

Rounding out the book of Acts, we see Paul very much encouraged by the hospitality extended to him not only by the Malta Island natives but also by those brothers who at probable personal cost of time, energy and money, came down from Rome to meet him en route along the road from Puteoli to Rome.  O how it did his heart good!  It must have been a rather noteworth boost for Paul as Luke mentions it in Acts 28:16.

Once Paul reached Rome, he was allowed to have his own place, albeit with a guard constantly stationed there since he was under house arrest pending trial and verdict.  This doesn't hamper Paul in the least.  In turn, we see he calls the local Jewish leaders and extends hospitality to them.  Paul, the ever mission-minded man, has to minister.

Of course, this is somewhat like being his own witness to explain his presence in Rome to them so  this meeting looks two-pronged.  One to explain his presence and that he is no criminal, the other reason being he wished to,

"Explain and declare to them the kingdom of God...and to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets" (Acts 28:23 NIV).

Paul then introduces a quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 about the Jewish forefathers having eyes and ears but who could not see or hear with understanding.  Rather, those ancestors had stubbornly and rebelliously blinded themselves with disbelief and had rejected the prophecy that if they did not repent of their idolatry and unjust treatment of the poor and needy and so on, there would be severe consequences.  They all knew that history.

After the present Jewish populaces' rejection of Paul's message of Jesus, he, Paul, turned to the Gentiles, who gladly accepted the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Look what Luke noted from Paul's speech,

"Therefore, I want you to know that God's salvtion has been sent to the Gentiles and they will listen" (Acts 28:28 NIV)!

Did you get that?  Paul did not act on his own volition here.  No.  "God's salvation has been sent..."  The message of Jesus was an 'open letter' to all mankind whether they believed or rejected God's gift of love.

As we ourselves, nowadays, try a little kindness and offer hospitality to one and all, pray that the hearers eyes and ears will be well-opened to see the message of salvation is for them and to hear with understanding in their hearts and so turn to the Lord in accepting faith and "be healed" (Acts 28:27 NIV).

May we each have the boldness and confidence of Paul acting with Holy Spirit dynamic power, to tell out the message of Jesus without hindrance and preach the kindgdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31 NIV).

Paul had indeed gone out into all his known world to preach the gospel, accepting much hospitality along the way.  Now he was incarcerated in his own home under house arrest so his audience had to come to him.  He willingly called them.  He welcomed each oppotunity and didn't waste a chance.

Most of us are free to do the same.  Try a little kindness and generosity so all the world or at least the bit of humanity that is within your acquaintance-ship, may see and hear God's message of love. 

 Who do you wish to extend hospitality to today?  

Go for it!  You have God's blessing.

                                                    ~ERC  February 2022~

Based on Acts 28:1-30 NIV/GoodNews

Sing, Try a Little Kindness, along with Glenn Campbell.