- Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. Acts 17:21 – Sure sounds like they just weren’t satisfied with what they had seen and what was already in front of them. I’m all for continual learning, but as we see Paul say later in the passage, they had many idols all around and they had a great interest in hearing about gods because what they had weren’t enough. For us, if the god you you’ve heard about doesn’t satisfy and doesn’t fulfill, then you haven’t yet heard about Jesus. Maybe the “god” you know you labeled Jesus, but it’s very different than the real Jesus because your god doesn’t satisfy your heart and needs. Know that god then you’ve heard and followed isn’t Jesus. Truly following the real Jesus will bring fulfillment into your life like nothing else can. If you’re tired of searching for something to satisfy your desires, try following the real Jesus taught from scripture and find all you are looking for in Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 646
- Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:32-34 – After being persecuted over and over in different cities, Paul finds himself all the way in Athens sharing the Gospel. He is sharing in the synagogue and the marketplace every day with everyone that will listen to his voice. He is even invited to speak with the Areopagus, the Athenian governing council, about this “new teaching” that they had never heard of before. He then shares with them the truth of God and the need for repentance. And what do we see? Do we see thousands of Greeks placing their faith in Jesus here? Do we see the temples of the Greek gods being converted into sanctuaries to worship Jesus? No, we see some joined Paul in believing in Jesus. That may not seem like too thrilling of a response to be recorded in scripture for its not like what took place at Pentecost when 3000 people turned to follow Jesus. But remember the truth of what scripture says here…some believed. Meaning that at least a few individuals escaped eternal death in Hell and found forgiveness and salvation through Jesus. That is something to celebrate from the mountaintops! Today, what may be happening in your church, or even in your personal walk with God, may not look like the Pentecost 3000. It may look more like “and some believed.” Never though despair in that, for even if just one life has turned to Jesus, the chorus of Heaven is rejoicing and so should we. If then your church family is actively reaching the lost and people are coming to know Jesus, celebrate the work being done there for God is moving in your midst! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2543
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