“For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” 28:27-28
Paul’s imprisonment allowed him to spend some quality time with some Jewish men sharing the gospel. Some believed, but others left without Christ after hearing his statement above. This statement summed up the transition of emphasis from the Jews to the Gentiles. It also shows how that when some choose to stop listening, God moves on to those who will.
Those words “they will listen” remind me of several of Pastor’s messages this past month concerning listening. It also caused me to inspect my own ears. Are they tuned in to God’s message? Or have they become distracted by the loud noise of the world? Are my eyes open to what is God doing, or have they been drowsy? Paul understood that God would use those who were willing to listen. The Jews had rejected God’s message and had ceased to be His message bearers. Paul mentioned his concern about remaining faithful unless he be disqualified as God’s messenger (1 Cor. 9:27). This seems to be a legitimate concern for us as well.