Unstoppable! 'The Messiah Has Come!' — Acts 28:20

Monday, December 28, 2026

[Paul addressed the Jewish leaders in Rome and explained:] "I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel — the Messiah — has already come."

— Acts 28:20 NLT

Key Thought

From the beginning of the proclamation of the Good News, a key message has been that Jesus of Nazareth is both Lord and Messiah - he is worthy of worship by both Gentiles (for whom the designation as Lord would be particularly meaningful) and Jews (who had been anticipating the Messiah for centuries).* Jesus came as the Messiah and was rejected, killed, and then raised on the third day. His resurrection was his divine proof that God's Messiah was the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah.** Jesus accepted this role of suffering servant for his life and ministry to show the Jews that they should reframe their concept of Israel's Messiah from a conquering hero to a servant who bore the sins and shared the human suffering of the people he came to save. Jesus is Lord of all and the Messiah who has already come!

* See the first set of Related Scripture Readings.
* See the second set of Related Scripture Readings.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for living to intercede for me when I pray.^ Thank you for being my beloved Lord and Messiah who shared my humanity and now is in the presence of the Father to bring my prayers to him.^^ I thank you for your ministry on earth - your healing, teaching, and doing good to those in need. Thank you for your ministry now as the head of your church and the coming King of glory. I await your return in glory and honor as the only Lord and Messiah, the one to whom all praise and glory belong, both now and forever. Amen.

^ Hebrews 7:23-25.
^^ Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16.

Related Scripture Readings

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Unhinderedly!
Article by Phil Ware
God will get us where we need to be when we need to be there! Phil Ware continues his series on Saved at Sea focusing on Paul's promise in Philippians 1:6 and Paul's shipwreck and travel to Rome to fulfill his calling from God.
Finally in Rome!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Paul finally arrived in Rome in the concluding chapter of Acts. As you have seen over the last several days of reading, the journey..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 28:20 NLT — [Paul addressed the Jewish leaders in Rome and explained:] "I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel — the Messiah — has already come."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, December 28, 2026

God's Holy Fire
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'Rivers of Living Water!' (Jn. 7:37-39)
"On the last and greatest day of the festival [the Feast of Tabernacles], Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'God's Righteous Judgment' (Ro. 1:32)
"Dear Father, righteous judge, Who could argue against your righteous judgment? Who would claim that those who refuse to see truth should not be left...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Rejected!' (Jn. 1:10-11)
"[Jesus, the Word] came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Why am I Discouraged?' (Ps. 42:11)
"Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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