Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
Summary: Paul’s comment about being comforted by his Jewish companions leads us to consider “Why?”
No matter what you might think of Paul, the objective facts of his life tell a story. Paul is a man of deep passion. In the first half of his life as a Pharisee, Paul is so passionate about eradicating believers from the face of the earth that he chases them all over the Middle East.
How many Pharisees bothered to do that? Did any Sadducees mount expeditions to pursue early Christians?
Looking at the available information, it appears that Paul’s zeal for chasing down early Christians was unique. Everything in his heart, mind, and soul pointed to the need to erase this offensive corruption of Jewish tradition from the face of the earth.
Then, he met Jesus.
Suddenly, as if he had been a blind man whose eyesight was suddenly restored, Paul’s world changed. Everything looked different.
In the second half of his life, with his new outlook on everything, the first half of his life looks like a total waste. (Paul called his prior ambitions “garbage.” [Philippians 3:7-9]) Yet, he was the same man. Same intellect, same passion, same devotion to God.
At first, he poured his heart into converting his fellow Jews. He desperately wanted them to experience the same kind of eye-opening that he had undergone.
The response was less than he hoped. In fact, the Jews frequently treated him the same way he had treated Christians before he met Christ.
What was to be done?
Eventually, in frustration, Paul gives up hope of being accepted by the Jews (Acts 18:6). He turns his focus exclusively to being a “minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles” (Romans 15:15).
Time after time, the Jews became jealous of Paul’s teachings and followers. Time after time they come after Paul and try and do them harm. Yet even after they have rioted, beat him, and even stoned him to the point of death, Paul still loves them and longs to see them saved (Romans 9:3).
Is it any small wonder that he is comforted that at least three Jews have seen the light?
Application: Never give up hope or praying for those not yet saved.
Food for Thought: What advantage(s) would a Jew have in proclaiming the Gospel to Gentiles?
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