Southwood Lutheran Church: Act 28

The End. Read Acts 28 here.

We've reached the end of the book of Acts. 28 Books and 28 Blog posts. Here's what happened to me as I was reading the end of Acts. Although I'd read Acts before, I couldn't remember how it ended. I really couldn't remember if it ended with Paul dead or alive. I was thinking he did die, but I couldn't remember how. (SPOILER: turns out he doesn't die.)

As I was reading I began to get more and more tense about what was going to happen, a riot, a shipwreck . . . what's next? I read faster and faster rushing to get to the ending. Ah, sweet relief, we find Paul alone in his own home preaching the Gospel and we might be content to think that he lived "happily ever after." I found it almost comical the way I was reading this book - I've said from the beginning how much Acts reads like a novel. I realized that I was finishing my reading of Acts in the very same way, with the very same questions. I was drawn into this story in the way that only a great story can do. Hmmm...but now that I think about it - that might have been the point.

The final chapter ends with several statements about Hospitality:

Verse 2 - The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.
Verse 7 - There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably.
Verse 10 - They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Verse 14 - There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.

If you ask me, this is a clever ending. First we get very obvious statements about Hospitality. Paul is welcomed by strangers, he is taken into their homes, and he is given all of the supplies he needs for his journey. Then, Paul calls together the leaders from Rome and speaks to them from Isaiah 6 - "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." Paul basically tells these leaders that while the message couldn't be more obvious - they simply don't "get it."

Paul's point has always been a Gospel about Jesus for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. He is preaching hospitality and he is experiencing hospitality. Yet, as the prophet Isaiah proclaimed - the point remains obscure to most of the people who hear it. They are welcoming to him, but perhaps it is only because his Jewish background makes him more "like them." They still do not welcome a Gospel for the Gentiles.

This part of Paul's life seems to end with a proverbial ride into the sunset. However, there are subtle reminders to us that Paul's message is still one that many of God's people refuse to listen to today. We often find ourselves circling up and sharing the message with only those who are "like us." Paul wanted us to look beyond ourselves and open up our hearts, homes, belongings, and gifts, so that many more people would come to know about Jesus.

This is the brilliance of Paul's ending, he has done his work and now its up to those that follow. Paul has commissioned us to go and continue spreading the good news to the "ends of the earth." This is an ending that involves you and I and we have a great task before us.

Do you ever find yourself listening to the Gospel, but not really hearing it?
What ways are you looking outside of yourself to bring the good news to the ends of the earth?
Do you find ways to interact with and offer hospitality to people that are not "like you"?
Is this Acts 28 an ending that you can be a part of?

Pastor Sara

Thanks for joining us in this 28 part blog post! What book are you reading next?

This 28 part blog will post each Tuesday through Friday from April 1 through May 16. We'll post on one chapter of Acts each day. Be sure to join us in reading this entire book. We'll learn about Jesus, about his disciples, and about how we can become more fully devoted followers of Christ.