Spread It Out

Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

One of the things that farmers have learned over the centuries of farming is that manure needs to be spread out in order to spread the benefits of the nutrients. If it stays in one place, or isn’t spread evenly, then it can burn the crops or even prevent the seeds from germinating and producing the desired harvest. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

When manure is spread out properly, then a crop can be greatly enhanced by the extra nutrients. The most benefit comes when it is applied at the correct time in the correct dosage. It enhances the soil and creates the opportunity for multiplied harvest.

As we read our text, we find that persecution of the early Jesus-followers begins. The catalyst is the stoning to death of Stephen. His death unleashed the anger of the religious establishment. They thought they could get away with anything, so they started to kill their own people, people who happened to believe that Jesus was their promised Messiah.

Remember that a large number of people had come to believe the message of the resurrection of Jesus. They themselves had seen the signs and miracles that were now being performed at the hands of Jesus’ followers. They could come to only one conclusion: Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

There were many of these Jewish leaders who had also come to believe placing themselves at odds with the power brokers in Jerusalem. Scholars and Jewish priests were among those who converted bringing with them their knowledge of the Scriptures. And at the prompting of the disciples had studied the Scriptures and found the claims of Jesus as Messiah to be true.

So when Stephen is killed, they spread out. They leave Jerusalem and scatter to the rest of Judea and Samaria. They go to where the message of Jesus had already been taught by Jesus and His disciples in the previous three years.

And as they go, their message is accepted with joy. They continue to preach and the Holy Spirit continues to demonstrate the authenticity of their testimony. That is how it is supposed to happen, even in this modern day and age.

If they had not scattered, if the blessing of the Gospel had not spread outside of Jerusalem, then Church history would have been very different. Their leaving Jerusalem fulfilled the promise Jesus had given right before He returned to Heaven. They had begun spreading the Good News to the ends of the earth.

We are part of the blessing that was spread. This is why we have missions organizations, to continue the spread of the message of liberation found in Jesus.

Are you a part of this mission?