Jesus is such a point of controversy. As the apostles begin their missionary journeys, they do a lot of teaching and preaching. They really know their audience well. They are able to talk about the kings of old, the prophets, and the founders of the Jewish faith. I'm sure they are immediately liked by their listeners. I get the impression that the Jews are very proud of themselves and their heritage.
Then there's this point where Jesus is brought up. And that topic is met with a great force. The Jewish leaders and false prophets do NOT want people to be carrying on about this Jesus fellow. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe Jesus threatens them in some sort of religious/political way. It just seems like the power of the sacrifice of Jesus makes the power of the law and prophets [and the religious system built around it] a complete wash. For some, there is much to be lost, but for many others there is much more to gain.
I particularly like the part where Paul and Barnabas say,
"It was necessary that this Good News from God be given first to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal-life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For this is as the Lord commanded us when he said,
'I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'
When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message;"
I am a Gentile. I am also glad of this great news. I think many times other nations take the knowledge and faith in God for granted...like it was always available and we could've discovered it at any time. The fact is that we know and have faith because God wanted us to know and have faith. He appointed a time in which the world should hear the Good News of his Son, and we are blessed to live in a time and place where the name of Jesus can be known and praised. Thanks be to God.
