“When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” – Acts 28:23
This day of uninterrupted preaching is the great opportunity God made possible for Paul through his imprisonment! Because he was jailed and transported to Rome by the Roman government, Paul got to share the good news of Jesus Christ all day long to those who hadn’t heard it before. This was just the start of his Roman imprisonment! Altogether, Paul spent 2 years under house arrest telling Romans about Jesus. What a wonderful opportunity that was only possible because Paul patiently endured long injustice and persecution.
This extended gospel opportunity happened because Paul was wrongly arrested and accused in Jerusalem, patiently endured two years in jail in Caesarea, and survived a shipwreck on his way to Rome. This is a powerful reminder to each of us that God can bring wonderful Kingdom good and significance out of what feels like disaster. The inconveniences and injustices that others intend for evil can be redeemed by God and used to introduce people to His love, His truth, and His Son Jesus.
Consider how you respond to setbacks, hurts, defeats, and injustices in your life…. Do you respond with anger? Despair? Frustration? Do you compromise your integrity to escape the situation? Or do you lean into your hardship and praise God anyway? Do you look for the opportunities God provides to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit? Do you share your hope in Jesus with those you’re only able to meet because you’re going through difficult times? In Christ, God has given you everything you need to respond like Paul!