To the gentiles
Day 523, Friday, Jan. 16
Acts 21:37 – 22:21
While Paul is not the first to take the gospel intentionally to the gentiles he considers that mission to be his particular calling.
We see some of his particular qualifications in today’s reading. In the closing verses of chapter 21, Paul speaks to the Roman military commander in Greek. To bolster his authority he refers to himself as being “from Tarsus in Celicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.”
In speaking to the Jews in chapter 22, Paul again says he is from Tarsus, but speaks of being brought up in Jerusalem and taught by the great Jewish teacher Gamaliel. He speaks of how zealous he was in his Jewish faith and his history of actively persecuting Christians.
He tells them that Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Then, in verse 18, he refers to his own persecution. The reading ends with God telling Paul, “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”
Paul is uniquely qualified to be a missionary to the gentiles because he is able to function comfortably in both Roman and Jewish society. He speaks both languages, literally and figuratively.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 65:1-13
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Prayer focus
Show us the world you are sending us to, Lord.