Acts 13:42-52 - Homiletics

The savor of death and of life.

We have here a memorable example of the same gospel being a savor of life to some and of death to others, according to the reception given to it in the heart of the hearers. Here was a mixed congregation of Jews and proselytes and Gentiles. They had all the same advantages; they all heard the same gospel at the mouth of the same preacher. Some, when they heard, believed; a hunger sprang up in their souls to hear and to know more of the salvation of God. They followed the preachers out of the synagogue; they hung upon their words; they listened to their exhortations. The next sabbath found them in the synagogue again. We can imagine that the pressing thought in their hearts was, " What must I do to be saved?" We can imagine how they struggled out of the darkness into the light of Christ; how the new message of redeeming love and justifying grace kindled new thoughts in their inmost souls; how they followed the words which led them till they found peace and life in Jesus Christ. The gospel was to them "a savor of life unto life." But others heard and believed not. Their conscience was not pricked with sin; their souls were not moved by the love of God; they did not yearn after more light, more knowledge of the glorious Lord; they were not humbled before the cross; but their self-love was wounded, their pride was aroused, jealousy and hatred were kindled within them at the success of the gospel. They spurned the truth which would lower their importance; they scorned the light in which their own glory would grow pale; they hated the goodness before which their own goodness withered into sin. They knew Christ only to contradict him; they knew his Word only to blaspheme him. The gospel of God's grace had come to them, but their last state was worse than the first. The gospel was to them "a savor of death unto death."