It is estimated there were approximately 300 million people living in the world at the time of Christ. Of this total, there were probably two to three million Jews, most living within a few hundred miles of Jerusalem.
What was the Lord’s plan for evangelizing the world?
Peter and the other original apostles were first sent to the Jews while the rest of the world awaited a scrawny, short Jew, who met the Lord on the Damascus Road, five years after the Lord’s ascension. It was another six years before Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Saul to Antioch, and still another six years before Saul was released into his apostolic ministry and called Paul.
Israel and the Jews had waited approximately two thousand years for their Messiah to arrive in Jerusalem. Yet, the rest of the world waited an extra seventeen years before their man – the Apostle Paul – was sufficiently readied for his ministry to the Gentiles.
Think about this: our heavenly Father chose one Man, His Son, Jesus, to save the world. Then, the Lord Jesus Christ, chose one man named Paul to be His pioneer missionary to the world.
Today, I prayed:
Lord, I pray that You would stamp on the hearts of a hundred thousand missionaries for the 10/40 Window the commissioning words You spoke to Paul, so that blind eyes are opened, that people may turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among the sanctified believers. (Based on Acts 26:16-18)
What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?
Join with me on Fridays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.
What a powerful prayer, Mr. Larry. I’m joining you and praying today. Today I prayed for all of us who are prisoners of our pasts, to be free to hear and obey what He has to say to us today. God bless you!
Debbie,
Thanks. Haven’t we all struggled with our pasts? I am praying your prayer now. God bless you.