Pray They Hear, See

Acts 28:23-28 The Jews arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers 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!”
 
PAUL held a day-long conference for Rome’s Jews to learn about Jesus of Nazareth. In the style of rabbinical teaching, it is likely there was ongoing discussion, questions and opinions from many. As the day concluded, some were convinced by what Paul said, but others would not believe.
   Likely with a mix of frustration, sadness and acceptance, Paul quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
   800 years before Paul, God had called Isaiah to teach God’s truth to Judah. But God warned his new prophet that the people’s eyes and ears were incapable of seeing and hearing the true Word of God. They were so disobedient, God said he would ultimately remove them from the land.
   The Spirit often revealed to his prophets that the Jews would reject them and their words. Paul, beaten, scourged, jailed and threatened, had certainly understood many would remain deaf and blind to God’s salvation. The Jews in Rome were as Jews from long ago and everywhere he had ministered.
   How would he respond to the non-belilevers? The only thing to do was to continue preaching the gospel. In the days and months to come, Gentiles and Jews would hear and see the gospel through churches and other ministry partners who were Paul’s coworkers in Christ. Surely he would have often prayed this prayer he wrote to Ephesus:
 
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
          Yes, Lord, open the eyes of their heart to see the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (Romans 1:16b)