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“And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” The message of Christ will be rejected by many. God does not hold us responsible for the decision of the hearer; He rather observes our faithfulness in the proclamation. Paul had not failed in his ministry to these Jews. His job was to make clear (in words) the Christ of the Bible, and represent (in deeds) the love of God. Paul was not indicating any loss of affection for Hebrews by turning his ministry toward Gentiles. He had simply done all he could to sound out the grace of God through Christ. I am certain Paul departed with much sorrow and sadness. Certainly every rejection of Christ should come with grief and regret; but it should also bring to mind the reality of individual soul liberty. God does not force men to embrace Him. We know that the Lord chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, and that He alone can provide the faith to be saved. At the same time there is an unknown place in time and space where the choosing of God and the free-will of man meet; no human can understand just exactly where (or how) that takes place. We ought to be faithful in preaching, committed in Christian living, and clothed in love for the world. The results of this effort are the responsibility of God alone.