To OPen Their Eyes

Read Acts 24 thru 26
 
Acts 26:17-18 “‘And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”
 
ACTS 24-26 could be a four-act play. Aggressive Jews falsely charged Paul with rioting and desecrating the Temple when he was merely, in the Jews’ tradition, fulfilling a vow. From this accusation Paul used the privilege of his Roman citizenship to stand before various Roman appointed rulers. He defended himself first before Felix. Second Paul spoke to Felix and his wife, Drusilla – a Jew who wanted to hear from Paul. Third, Paul stood before Felix’s replacement, Festus. And fourth, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice heard Paul’s testimony. Agrippa and Bernice were the children of Herod Agrippa I, who killed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter (Acts 12). None of them found any reason for the Jews’ accusations against Paul. That was Pilate’s decision for Jesus. The difference was that Pilate surrendered his innocent prisoner to the Jews. Paul was sent to Rome. All was done under God’s direction. The Author of Life wrote the drama, chose the actors and determined its performance time.
   Other than the Jews’ opposition to Jesus, what was a second reason for Paul’s troubles? It was a result of God’s instructions: “I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Everything Paul did was established in eternity past and made visible during his ministry. His entire life became focused on proclaiming, “Jesus saves.” In Jesus’ power, Paul faithfully 1) opened blind eyes to the Holy God. 2) turned people from Satan’s darkness to Jesus’ light 3) saw the Gentiles’ sins forgiven 4) watched God welcome sinners into his home.
   As you’ve read through Acts, perhaps the Holy Spirit has caused you to consider the day you said, “I confess Jesus.”  Yes, you have heard the Good News. God has forgiven your sins. He has welcomed you into his eternal home. And he has made you a messenger of hope.
   Acts has described Jesus’ ascension, the church’s beginning, Stephen’s martyrdom, Peter’s powerful ministries and Paul’s dynamic transformation. The church has begun in Jerusalem. It has gone through Judea, to Samaria, to Europe and to Africa. Persecution has strengthened the church. The gospel has been defended from legalists and false teachers. This is the blueprint for the church to prepare for Jesus’ re-entry into the world. You are saved for an eternal purpose for both yourself and for the world.
   When we are with people and ask ourselves, “Should I talk of Jesus?” let’s remember this: No other task is so great and noble. This is the “love work” Jesus has given to us as we “love one another”. People must have the opportunity to respond to “Jesus saves.” Rejoice each day you have his gift to give “to the Gentiles” who have yet to be welcomed into God’s house. God has written his drama. He has selected you as one of his actors.