Two Kinds of Hearers
Scripture: Acts 13:42-45 (NASB95)
"As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming."
Cowboy Wisdom
When Paul preached, there were two kinds of people in the crowd – those hungry for the Word and those filled with hate. The hungry ones couldn't get enough. They begged Paul to come back the next week, they followed him around asking questions, and when the next Sabbath came, they brought nearly the whole city with them. That's what happens when people encounter the living Word of God – they want more, and they want to share it with everyone they know.
Then there were the haters. What drove them wasn't a love for truth but jealousy. When they saw the crowds gathering to hear Paul, the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head. Jealousy is a poison that turns people mean and destructive. I've seen it happen with pastors who can't celebrate another pastor's success, with Christians who tear down others who are reaching the lost, and with religious folks who contradict and blaspheme rather than rejoice when God's work is advancing.
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said his ambition was "the souls of men." That same ambition drove those who came to hear Paul. But it's estimated that 95% of professing Christians have never even attempted to lead a single soul to Christ. That's a sobering statistic. It shows how unexcited most people are about Jesus. The question isn't which group was right back in Paul's day – it's which group you're in today. Are you hungry for the Word and excited to share it, or are you indifferent, critical, or jealous of those who are on fire for God?
Questions for Reflection
Which group do you identify with more – those hungry for God's Word or those indifferent or critical of it?
Have you ever struggled with jealousy toward other Christians or ministries? How did you handle it?
When was the last time you were so excited about what God is doing that you invited others to experience it too?
Prayer Focus
Pray for a genuine hunger for God's Word and a desire to share it with others. Ask God to reveal and root out any jealousy in your heart toward other believers or ministries. Pray for a renewed passion for souls and excitement about the gospel.
