Sharing the Gospel

Sharing good things with other people is nearly universal among civilizations. I have not heard of any civilization that does not extend hospitality to travellers, to give presents to friends and strangers etc. We can find it sanctioned in Chinese classics as well as in Bible stories. For example, one of the ancient commentaries on I-Ching has the following paragraph when the author was applying an oracle to daily life.
「鶴鳴在陰，其子和之。我有好爵，吾與爾靡之。」（中孚‧九二）子曰：「君子居其室，出其言善，則千里之外應之，況其邇者乎。居其室，出其言不善，則千里之違之，況其邇者乎。言出乎身，加乎民，行發乎邇，見乎遠。言行，君子之樞機。樞機之發，榮辱之主也。言行，君子之所以動天地也，可不慎乎？」【繫辭上‧第八章】
"A crane sings in the shade. Its children sing in harmony. I have good wine. Let us share it."
Confucius says, "A wise man says something good in the inner chamber, people echo thousands of miles away, not to mention those near. Says something not good in the inner chamber, people reject it thousands of miles away, not to mention those near. Words uttered will affect people, actions taken will show their consequences afar. Words and actions are the cardinals of a wise man. Triggering cardinals brings glory and shame. A wise man moves heavens and earth with his words and actions. Can he not be cautious?"
Here, the Chinese scholars believe that all men cherishes goodness in their hearts. When goodness is articulated, it finds resonance in all peoples. When evil is propagated, people will reject it. In reality, things are more complicated. People may reject goodness for selfish reasons. Anyway, Confucist philosophy is mainly ethical. Its main focus is on cultivating virtuous personal behaviour. That is to say, even if others are not grateful, you still persist in your own virtues. Confucius philosophy also looks at the impact of individual actions on the society at large.

Christianity is also ethical. But the main thrust is on the building up of the Kingdom of God on earth. Therefore, missionary activities become a major feature of Christianity. Paul was one of the outstanding missionaries in the early church. He travelled around to preach the gospel firstly to his fellow Jews. When rejected, he turned to the Gentiles. The passage we read today explains why he had to turn to outsiders.

It was natural for us to think that Paul began with his fellow countrymen because they shared the same cultural background. However, we have missed a crucial point. Paul did this because of what God had promised to their ancestors.
And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 
this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee." (Acts 13:32-33)
However, out of jealousy, the Jews in Pisidia rejected Paul. But Paul would not give up. He persisted in evangelization. Paul was virtuous, though others were ungrateful. He found support in the prophets and turned to the Gentiles.
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles." (Acts 13:46)
When the Jews stirred up the leading men in the city to persecute them, driving them out of the city, Paul and Barnabas left for Iconium. They followed the instruction of Jesus.
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Iconium (Acts 13:51).
And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them (Mark 6:11).

Dear Lord, rekindle in us the desire to share Your gospel with our neighbour. Amen.

Appendix:
Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.
υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. (Acts 13:33b, Psalm 2:7b)

I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.
δώσω ὑμῖν τὰ ὅσια Δαυὶδ τὰ πιστά. (Acts 13:34b)
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
καὶ διαθήσομαι ὑμῖν διαθήκην αἰώνιον, τὰ ὅσια Δαυιδ τὰ πιστά.(Isaiah 55:3)

Thou wilt not let thy Holy One see corruption.
οὐ (οὐδὲ) δώσεις τὸν ὅσιόν σου ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν (Acts 13:35b, Psalm 15:10b LXX, 16:10b MT)

Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe, if one declares it to you.
ἴδετε, οἱ καταφρονηταί, καὶ θαυμάσατε καὶ ἀφανίσθητε, ὅτι ἔργον ἐργάζομαι ἐγὼ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ὑμῶν, ἔργον ὃ οὐ μὴ πιστεύσητε ἐάν τις ἐκδιηγῆται ὑμῖν. (Acts 13:41)
ἴδετε, οἱ καταφρονηταί, καὶ ἐπιβλέψατε καὶ θαυμάσατε θαυμάσια καὶ ἀφανίσθητε, διότι ἔργον ἐγὼ ἐργάζομαι ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ὑμῶν, ὃ οὐ μὴ πιστεύσητε ἐάν τις ἐκδιηγῆται. (Habakkuk 1:5).

I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.
τέθεικά σε εἰς φῶς ἐθνῶν τοῦ εἶναί σε εἰς σωτηρίαν ἕως ἐσχάτου τ ῆς γῆς.(Acts 13:47b)
ἰδοὺ τέθεικά σε εἰς διαθήκην γένους εἰς φῶς ἐθνῶν τοῦ εἶναί σε εἰς σωτηρίαν ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς. (Isaiah 49:6b).