Farthest spot on Earth from Jerusalem

Monday 2-6-17, Modesto, California

Today we read Lev 1 – 3 and Acts 13

S = Scripture  O = Observation  A = Application  P = Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S. Acts 13:46-49 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "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 — well, we will offer it to 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… NLT

O. The Apostle Paul almost always went to the Jewish synagogue first if there was one in town. These were men and women that had been raised with knowledge of the Old Testament laws of Moses, the concepts forgiveness through the sacrifices of innocent animals as substitutes and the prophecies of a coming Messiah.  Now Paul uses the OT scriptures to show that Jesus truly is the Christ, the Messiah, Who God allowed to be sacrificed as God’s perfect Lamb and how He arose from the dead. Some Jews believed, but the Jewish leaders and teachers rejected and opposed this message. So Paul quotes this wonderful scripture from Isaiah (Isa. 49:6 underlined above).

A. What a privilege to be a light to the Gentiles (nations), to bring Christ’s offer of salvation to some of the farthest corners of the earth!

I took down my world globe and using a string I measured where the farthest populated spot from Jerusalem is. I should not have been surprised… it is New Zealand. I confirmed this online. Tauranga, New Zealand is 16,415 Km (10,200 miles) from Jerusalem. There is no city on earth further from Jerusalem.

One of my most favorite young families just moved to New Zealand to shine with the light of Jesus and His love. Would you join me in praying for them?

P.  Lord, I lift up my dear friends, Josh and Meagan, and their three beautiful children, Elisabeth (11), Micah (9) and Caleb (7) as they adjust to a new culture. Thank you, Lord, for fulfilling their dream of teaching school there. May You use them and equally use their sweet children to bless many New Zealanders with Your light, Your message and Your love. Amen.

Ralph