Same Message, Opposite Response

Acts 2: 37

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 7: 54

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.

These two groups of men were both affected the same way by the preaching of the Gospel, that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled all the requirements of the Law for us as our Sacrificial Lamb and Redeemer, Messiah: they were cut to the heart. 

But they reacted in opposite ways. 

Peter's teaching the people on the day of Pentecost reached hearts that were seeking and prepared to receive this Good News. 

Stephen's preaching to the Sanhedrin of the same message went to hearts that were hardened and overcome by fear. So they attacked the messenger, and stoned him to death.

The same message goes out to every person. God offers His remedy for our problem and sickness of sin to every creature. He loves us all, and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). But any person's response to understanding the message will depend on their own choices; whether they have wanted to seek God and His Truth, or whether they have decided to be comfortable in their own little deceptions. 

The same fragrance of Christ is a sweet savour to those who are being saved, but a rotten stench of death to those who are perishing (II Corinthians 2:15-16). 

O my Father, You are so good, and Your heart must break when people You love turn their backs on You and prefer their sin over Your wonderful care and gifts! You are our Source of everything we need to exist and prosper. How You must grieve over all those who decide to cut themselves off from Life and Light and sustenance, so will spend eternity separated from everything that is good and right and True, even after You have done everything possible and impossible for them. 

But, Father, I know that You have drawn to Yourself more beings than can be numbered, from this Earth and Heaven and whatever other realms You know. And every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, and Your own will enjoy Your pleasures and enjoyments and wholeness with You forever! 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!