Acts 13:16-26 (NRSV)
Read Acts 13:16-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: "You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. Verse 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. Verse 18For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. Verse 19After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance Verse 20for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Verse 21Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. Verse 22When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, 'I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' Verse 23Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; Verse 24before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Verse 25And as John was finishing his work, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet." Verse 26"My brothers, you descendants of Abraham's family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent.
Devotion
Ah, for the clarity of hindsight! Paul summarizes the long story of Israel’s life with God. We can see the shape of that story — beginnings, frustrations, missteps, new beginnings and hope. This kind of pattern seems to mark our lives individually and corporately. It is the way of God’s world and it is surely good news that God does not give up on us. Yet Paul brings even better news when he boldly announces the END of this pattern. We have an eternal new beginning in Jesus who lives. God’s will for good and God’s powerful presence will never be taken from God’s people—not even by death.
Prayer
Redeeming God, you so love what you have made that you hold all creation close, even after death. Fill us with joy in your undying love and make us good servants of all you have made. Amen.