For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:47-48 (ESV)
Acts 13:47-48 is a powerful reminder of one of the primary tasks Jesus entrusted to His followers: to share the gospel with all nations (Matthew 28:19). In this passage, Paul and Barnabas, having been commissioned for their first missionary journey, find themselves preaching in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Though their message was directed to the Jews, many Gentiles were also present, eagerly listening in.
Reflecting on this passage brings to mind personal experiences of longing for something others had but feeling excluded. Growing up, I remember hearing about cultural traditions like the Jewish Bat Mitzvah or the Spanish Quinceañera—rites of passage that symbolized a young person’s transition into adulthood. I wished my family had a similar tradition. This sense of exclusion, however small, gives a glimpse into what the Gentiles in Acts 13 must have felt. For generations, they were on the outside, seeing salvation as something reserved only for the Jewish people. So, when they finally heard that the promise of salvation was for them too, their joy was immense. They embraced the good news, seizing the opportunity to dedicate their lives to Jesus.
However, this story also raises a challenge for us. How often do we hesitate to share that same message of hope with people we consider outsiders? Whether because of cultural differences, social status, or even personal biases, we can create barriers—either consciously or unconsciously—that keep “others” at a distance. The good news of salvation is meant to break down these walls, but sometimes our fears or prejudices prevent us from reaching out.
Historically, societies have been shaped by divisions that mirror this kind of exclusion. In early American history, for example, there was deep tension between groups like the Loyalists and Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The Irish and Italians faced discrimination as they arrived in waves of immigration, just as Indigenous peoples were marginalized by European settlers. Even within Christian communities, Baptists and Presbyterians were often at odds, while divisions between the rich and the poor continued to reinforce inequality. These historical examples remind us how deeply ingrained the idea of “otherness” can be.
Yet, the gospel calls us to a different mindset. Jesus breaks down every division and invites us to become united as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Good News isn’t limited to people who look, think, or act like us—it’s for everyone. Instead of letting our differences keep us apart, we are called to celebrate when those we once viewed as “others” come to know Christ. The joy of salvation is meant to be shared, and the walls that divide us have no place in the family of God. Let’s take that call seriously and be the lights to the world that Jesus commands us to be!
Reflection Questions
- How does reflecting on personal experiences of exclusion help you better understand the joy the Gentiles felt when they heard the gospel was for them too?
- What cultural or social barriers exist in your community that might prevent you from sharing the gospel with certain people? How can you overcome these barriers?
- Thinking of the historical divisions mentioned, in what ways do you see similar “otherness” in today’s society, and how can the message of Jesus break down those walls?
- How can you ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect Jesus’ call to be a light to all people, especially those you might have once considered outsiders?
- What steps can you take to actively celebrate and welcome those who are different from you when they come to faith in Christ?
Reflective Prayer
Use Acts 13:47-48 and Matthew 28:19 to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication
- Adoration: Praise God. Do these verses bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Do these verses bring any specific sins to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from these verses inspire gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from these verses inspire a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this post and wish to receive more Christian content, feel free to subscribe to my newsletters!
Related Resources
Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or read other blog posts related to evangelism and missionary work:
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Joyful Moments in Christ 