Rejoicing in the Gospel

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48 ESV)

What a beautiful sight this would have been to see. A group of people have just been told they have a right to the salvation they’d previously believed was only for the Jews. They began to celebrate because of this.

Oh how we can take the Gospel for granted!

Jesus came into the world as a Jewish man. He preached to the Jews, but his death on the cross was for all races and nationalities, the “World” (John 3:16).

As followers of Jesus, we are told to make disciples of all nations, or all people. The Gentiles were not seen in a good light by the Jewish people. They were considered unclean and unworthy to be saved.

Peter, the leader of the early church, received a vision from God instructing him that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean (Acts 10:9-16). No matter what country, city, state, culture, or area you live in, there are going to be a people who are considered unclean and not worth your time.

We have the greatest news of all for them to rejoice in, the Gospel! As God used the Jews to reach the “unclean” Gentiles, he wants to use us to reach the unclean/unlovable around us.

Have you been rejoicing in the Gospel with those around you lately?