TOO FAR

There are some striking similarities between the Apostle Paul and Jesus. 

Both were constantly on the move, speaking to large crowds. Both regularly angered the establishment. (In fact, the very same people.) Both were frequently threatened with violence and inspired plots against their lives. 

Both were ultimately put on trial with trumped up charges.

But here's a similarity that is not as obvious: Although neither would shy away from speaking the truth that would really get under their audience's skin, they each found certain topics that triggered absolutely murderous reactions. 

For Jesus, the touchy phrase was "Your sins are forgiven". 

For Paul, "God sent me to the Gentiles." 

Acts 22 tells how a Roman commander in Jerusalem gave Paul the opportunity to speak to a crowd of his accusers. So he discussed his Jewish background and related great detail about his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. 

But then Paul said the Lord told him, "Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles" (v.21) and the crowd lost it!

"The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, 'Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!'" (v.22)

How strange that they could handle talk of Jesus being the Messiah, but they drew the line at salvation being offered to Gentiles!

It's a good reminder that as we share Christ with others, a person's reason for rejecting the gospel may not be immediately obvious. And it may not even be what we anticipate. 

But if we listen carefully to their anger, we might discover what their true hang-up is.