The Hope of Israel
The Hope of Israel
Acts 28:17-31
On October 3rd, 1660 John Bunyan stood on trial before a Judge Wingate to defend himself for preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Judge was trying to show mercy to Bunyan because of his popularity among the people and the poverty of his own family. The Judge said to Bunyan:
I do not wish to send you to prison, Mr. Bunyan. I am aware of the poverty of your family, and I believe you have a little daughter who, unfortunately, was born blind…The decision of the Court is this: We shall release him on the condition that he swear solemnly to discontinue the convening of religious meetings, and that he affix his signature to such an oath prior to quitting the Courtroom. That will be all, Mr. Bunyan. I hope not to see you here again.
Bunyan was free to go…if he agreed to not preach about Jesus. Bunyan responded to Judge Wingate,
I cannot do what you ask of me, M’lord. I cannot place my signature upon any document in which I promise henceforth not to preach. My calling to preach the Gospel is from God, and He alone can make me discontinue what He has appointed me to do. As I have had no word from Him to that effect, I must continue to preach, and I shall continue to preach.”
Bunyan chose to follow God rather than men. He was in prison for the hope of the gospel. He stayed in prison for 12 years. He was away from his family and from his flock. It was a difficult season for Bunyan.
And yet during those 12 years, he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress, probably the most influential Christian book outside of the Bible since the Protestant Reformation. It was written all because Bunyan chose to stand on his principles and be obedient to God. Likewise, the Apostle Paul chose to listen to God rather than man and was thrown into prison. He was in prison for the hope of Israel. And like Bunyan, Paul wrote in prison. It was not mere Christian allegory but Scripture. He was carried along by the Holy Spirit to write Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
As we finish Acts, I want to encourage you with the hope of Israel and how that hope should fuel our joy and our mission in the world.
The Hope of Israel Strengthens our Resolve
Paul is in Rome. God had promised him he would go to Rome to testify of the facts of Jesus Christ. God kept his Word. He always does. Acts 28:17–22,
[17] After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. [18] When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. [19] But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. [20] For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” [21] And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. [22] But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Since it was a long journey to get to Rome and it was not the best season for travel, none of the Jews who had issues with Paul had yet arrived in Rome. Paul did what he always did when he went to a new town, he spoke to the Jews about the Messiah. Paul again testifies to his innocence of doing nothing wrong, but he rather chose to stay in prison for “the hope of Israel.”
What is the hope of Israel? Salvation. Throughout his trial, Paul continued to testify several times Acts 23:6,
[6] Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” (ESV)
Acts 24:21,
[21] ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
The hope of Israel was the hope of salvation through the promised Messiah of the Old Testament who would bring forgiveness of sin and the resurrection from the dead. Paul believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ was the hope of Israel. His life, death and resurrection was the way to salvation. He believed it so much that he was willing to stay in prison even when he did nothing wrong.
The hope of Israel is the hope of all Israel. Jesus Christ is the hope for all true followers of God. Acts 4:12,
[12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Paul believed Jesus Christ was the hope of Israel. Therefore, he was willing to suffer for the sake of others. Beloved, if Jesus Christ is the hope of Israel. If he is the only way of salvation, we must strengthen our resolve to suffer for his name. Jesus lived a perfect life and died for sinners and raised from the dead for the hope of the world.
And now we suffer for the sake of others so that they may have our hope. This is true, living hope. 1 Peter 1:3–5,
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Paul spent years in prison for the hope of Israel. We should at least be willing to have uncomfortable conversations with family at dinner or during car rides with coworkers. I pray that as we have seen the saints suffer for Christ throughout Acts, we would strengthen our resolve to suffer and stand for the hope of the gospel. There may be a day coming for us when we will be truly tested if we believe in the hope of Israel.
The Hope of Israel Sharpens our Purpose
There are many we are called to do as Christians, but our main purpose is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Acts 28:23,
[23] 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.
From morning till evening he taught them the Scriptures trying to persuade them to believe Jesus was the King; the hope of Israel. Paul told them how Jesus was the seed of Abraham promised in Genesis 12, how he came from the line of Judah as promised Genesis 49, how he was suffering servant as promised in Isaiah 53, how he was anointed one who was not abandoned to death as promised in Psalm 16, how he was born of a virgin as promised in Isaiah 7, how he was born in Bethlehem as promised in Micah 5, how before Abraham was Jesus said “I AM,” and many, many more. Paul spent an entire day proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ from the Scriptures. He had a singular focus. What do you believe about Jesus?
Why was he so focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ? Because how you respond to Jesus will determine your eternal destiny. There are many things we can talk about as Christians and many things we should talk about, but we can never focus on those things more than the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul spent his life trying to convince people Jesus was the Christ, the hope of Israel, because he believed with all his heart. He saw the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus and was never the same. Beloved, let’s sharpen our purpose and focus on our lives to try and convince people that Jesus is the hope of Israel, the only hope of forgiveness from sin and salvation from hell to God.
The Hope of Israel Separates our World
Everyone must make a decision about Jesus. Is he Lord? Is he the hope of the world? Or were his followers crazy? Was Jesus crazy to call himself believing himself to be God? Did the apostles just make up the resurrection? Paul tried to convince people to believe in Jesus, Acts 28:24
[24] And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
Everyone must make a choice. There is no other option. Either you will be convinced or not. Either you will believe or not. If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, I wonder if you have ever really considered Jesus to be your Lord. There is nothing more important in life today than for you to truly consider the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible says we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Meaning every single person does not meet God’s perfect standard because we all have done wrong. We have lied, gossiped, judged, lusted, lashed out in anger, been jealous, discontent, etc. It is not hard to convince ourselves we have sinned, it is hard to convince ourselves what we deserve because of our sin. The Bible says you deserve death. And not just a physical death but an eternal death. This is why God sent Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus to be our hope when we had no hope. We cannot stand before God in our sin so Jesus came to stand in our place. He paid our penalty. He died for us and was buried. But God raised him from the dead as promised in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the only hope for salvation. Many of us want to challenge their exclusivity of Christianity, but Christianty is the most inclusive, exclusive religion there is. The Bible says all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. All who call. But you must call. The offer is open to all, but you have to accept it.
The Jews were given an opportunity to believe but they chose to reject Jesus and thus fulfilling Isaiah 6:9-10. Again, Scripture is always proven true. Acts 28:25–27,
[25] And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
[26] “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
[27] For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
Throughout Acts when Paul is speaking to the Jews, he says, ‘our fathers’ but here he says ‘your fathers,’ in verse 25. Paul makes a distinction between himself, a Jew who believes in the hope of Israel with the Jews who do not believe in the hope of Israel.
Paul came to his own people but they did not believe. They did not believe, but they could have. See verse 27, If they turn to God, he would heal them. If you turn to God, he will heal you. What a glorious promise. God delights to save. We all need salvation. We are great sinners, but Christ is a great Savior. Though our sins, they are many; his mercy is more. Our hearts become dull. We harden our hearts against God’s truth. We need ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to believe. Why do we harden our hearts? We want what our hearts want, not what God wants.
Friends, this is a strong warning for you. If you continue to harden your heart against God, you may never understand and never perceive or receive the living hope of Israel. The gospel divides. Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” Jesus has come to separate the world into believers and non-believers. Again, everyone is invited, but not everyone will choose the living hope. Friend, you and I will one day die and stand before God in judgment. The only hope we have on that day is one stands with us. Jesus Christ has promised to be our advocate before the Father. He has offered us his blood as payment for our sins. Will you accept it?
In my own personal time with the Lord this week, I meditate on this warning in Hebrews 10:26–31,
[26] For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, [27] but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. [28] Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. [29] How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Acts 28 is a strong warning for those who know the truth and yet reject it. I pray none of you will reject the truth today.
The Hope of Israel Spurs our Mission
The Book of Acts starts in Jerusalem, the center of the Jewish nation, and the book ends in Rome, the center of the Gentiles. Remember Jesus’ words, Acts 1:8,
[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The apostles have gone from Jerusalem to the ‘end of the earth’ so those far from God could hear of the gospel. God promised they would be witnesses and he kept his word. Acts 28:28,
[28] Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
This is a judgment against the Jews, but a glorious promise to the Gentiles. The salvation of God found in Jesus Christ, the hope of Israel will be sent to the Gentiles. AND…THEY WILL LISTEN! What a promise. God will always have a remnant. Some will reject, but others will believe. This promise should spur our mission to take the gospel to the end of the earth. We should give and go because Gentiles will listen. They will believe and be saved. They will be rescued from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Beloved Son. They will be saved from wrath and brought safely into God’s presence.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians and the Colossians asking for their prayers to be bold in sharing this gospel with the Gentiles.
Colossians 4:3,
[3] At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
And Ephesians 6:18–20,
[18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
And then we read the end of Acts, how God has gracious to answer the prayers of the saints, Acts 28:30-31,
[30] He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, [31] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Beloved, I believe we should follow Paul’s example in those last words. We should 1.) Welcome all who come to us, 2.) proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ and 3.) to do so with all boldness. And by God’s grace this is what the true church has done for over 200 years. We welcome people in Christ name and proclaim salvation in Christ name in the boldness that comes from Christ name.
Acts 28 ends with the wide open door of the gospel. The acts of the apostles have ended, but the acts of the risen Lord Jesus continue today. We are called to welcome all people into the glorious gospel of Christ. We are called to offer forgiveness from sin and eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. We are called to tell people the hope of all Israel, Jew and Gentile, in the faith in life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The mission of the church is not over. The Lord Jesus is still on his throne and has called his people to go and make disciples to the end of the earth. He kept his word to the apostles, he will keep his word to us. Therefore, let us welcome all people with a Christ-like love, proclaiming the hope of the kingdom of God, with all boldness for the glory of the risen Lord Jesus.