42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
I like being asked to speak again. It feels good when you speak and people respond positively to the message you brought. It feels good when you tell your kids something and they turn right around and do what you have asked. It feels even better when you tell your spouse something and they truly understand what you share and they respond to you in a way that lets you know they truly get it. Those moments feel good, don’t they? But for most of us those moments are few and far between. Too often our words are not really heard. Paul and Barnabas have shared the truth about who Jesus is with this group of Jews and god-fearing non-Jews that gathered that day at the synagogue. For some of them a spark was ignited in their souls. They recognized that this was something from God and they wanted more of it. It doesn’t say that they came to believe the message, but just that they wanted to hear more. Some in the crowd that day rejected the message. But those that invited these two speakers to return wanted to know more. Often when we share the truth you will get this reaction. God is working in their hearts, but they still don’t completely grasp the truth and believe. They are moving in the right direction, but the Spirit has not finished the work of conversion. These listeners probably knew there was something special about these two and the message they brought, but they did not know enough to believe. God was drawing them, but they had not stepped across the line of faith. For some people this takes place in a single short moment. But for others it can take months or even years to complete the journey to faith. So don’t give up on those with whom you are sharing. Maybe this week will be the week they come to faith.
The Arnold Journey 