Dave R Phillips

August 23, 2018August 23, 2018

John: Wedding in Cana, More Than a Miracle

Read: John 2:1-12

What if turning water into wine was more than just a miraculous event? This is one of those stories I’ve heard many times, but today, I’m hearing more than just a miracle. As I blog through the Bible this time around, especially the New Testament, I’m trying to get to know the author of each book. In this case, John chose to include this story early on in his writing. Why?

There’s no doubt that John witnessed miracle after miracle, so why did he choose this to be the first miracle presented to those who would read his account of the greatest story ever told? Was it about the wedding or about the wine? What if it were both?

So far, it seems like I’m asking a lot more questions than providing answers. We’ll get to work on the text in just a minute, but first I’d like you to step back a moment and imagine you’re sitting in a room where the Apostle John, the one Jesus loved, is collecting his thoughts. There’s a large table in front of him scattered with parchments and scrolls. He’s reflecting on all the stories, 1,000 days of wandering around with Jesus, the Messiah. Then he looks at you and invites you to sit down, to ask whatever questions you might have. Here’s my first question:

Why turn water into wine?

Easy. They ran out of wine. While this is true, is this the entire story? In the book Multiply, by Francis Chan and Mark Beuving, we are warned about reading too much into the story. We’re encouraged to see the plain meaning when the meaning is plain. Here’s the text:

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” John 2:3

Weddings are an important celebration, especially in the Jewish culture. They last for days and are filled with traditions to give the bride and groom something to talk about for the rest of their lives.

Weddings mark the beginning of a new relationship. They are the proverbial pin in the map. From this day forward, the couple will be referred to as one. He goes with her and she goes with him. One. Whole. Complete.

John looked at all the notes in front of him and chose this event as the first miracle to set the stage for the gospel. It starts with something happening that has never been seen before and it’s intentionally placed to put us in the right frame of mind.

You probably know the story. Mary points out the fact that there is no more wine as quoted above. This indicates that the wedding planners failed to consider something, they underestimated the number of people or drinks or whatever and now the wonderful memory is about to be tarnished. Jesus’ reaction lets us know that He didn’t want that to happen, but he also didn’t want to make a scene at this time. That is the plain meaning of the story and that is a good thing.

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4

Jesus gives instructions anyway. John doesn’t tell us that He rolled His eyes at His mom or anything, though plenty of preachers have had some fun with this passage. The jugs were filled with water and miraculously turned into wine. When the master of the banquet tasted the wine he was shocked. This was far better than the wine they started with! He explains,

but you have saved the best till now. John 2:10

Exactly! The entire story of the history of the people of God was the original wine for the beginning of the party. Now the best wine is being served: Jesus. What you had was good, but this is even better. It’s miraculous and it’s amazing.

John caps off the story with this statement:

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 2:11

The disciples got it. They knew before, but now they know much more, though they still have many days and miracles to go! This is just the beginning of a new story, John’s version of the story of Jesus.

August 22, 2018July 13, 2021

John: First Disciples Follow Jesus

Read: John 1:35-51

John the Baptist testified about Jesus, now he releases his disciples to follow the One he was there to proclaim. The voice in the wilderness points to Jesus and Andrew listens. We are introduced to Peter, Philip, and Nathanael in this section. There is some debate about Nathanael’s identity, but the model for discipleship is presented here by John as we witness the first few following Jesus.

Two of John the Baptist’s disciples heard him say, “Look, the Lamb of God,” and respond immediately. They begin to follow Jesus. I’m not sure where Jesus was going or how this event unfolds. There are probably several movies that have tried to depict these events in various forms. All I can say is the lack of details suggests it’s not important. What does matter is that Andrew, and most likely John, were listening to John the Baptist and did something, they took action.

They ask Jesus where He is staying and Jesus is quoted as saying,

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:39

John isn’t mentioned by name. Theologians point out the John avoids using his name in the text, he keeps himself behind the scenes. As an eyewitness to the events, we get details that describe the location and time of day.

Andrew and Peter

I love the idea that Andrew’s first response is to go and get his brother. He heard John the Baptist’s declaration, followed Jesus, then:

The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:41-42

There’s no mention of debate here, no words that suggest Simon through Andrew was hallucinating or perhaps was a little off after hanging out with the Baptist character. I like to think that Andrew’s face beamed like Moses’ after talking with God. In my mind, when Andrew found Peter, the brothers’ eyes met and he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that something incredible had happened.

What is our response when we recognize we have come face to face with the Messiah? Have we become so comfortable with the label Christian that we simply put on the t-shirt and go about our day? We have seen the Messiah with our hearts. Think about the day Jesus was revealed to you and go invite someone to see Him in you.

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

John tells us that Jesus is moving around quite a lot. They’re headed to Galilee where they find Philip. Philip’s response is similar to Andrew’s, but the story has a bit of a twist.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45

You have to love Nathanael’s response:

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. John 1:46

Philip’s response is assertive, not the least bit defensive. He simply says, “Come and see.”

We don’t read much about Nathanael. Some suggest he was also named Bartholomew and counted among the Twelve. Others point us to the Seventy-Two that went out and preached. There’s little doubt that Jesus had many disciples beyond the Twelve. In any case, I would be incredibly honored to hear Jesus say such words about me,

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” John 1:47

When Nathanael asks how Jesus could make this assertion, He explains He saw Nathanael under a fig tree before Philip invited him to come and see. This must have been incredible to Nathanael. He made an early declaration without delay or requests for signs and wonders:

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John 1:49

John records Jesus’ response that must have felt like time completely stopped when Philip and Nathanael heard the words:

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” John 1:50-51

Jesus explains to these early disciples that something like Jacob’s stairway to heaven will be revealed to them. They will see with their eyes, hear with their ears, God’s testimony about Jesus, the Son of Man, as He teaches and preaches all over the area for the next three years. Wow!

We will see greater things when we set our eyes on Jesus. I can’t tell you you’ll see a stairway to heaven, but I can say with confidence that when we focus on Christ and dwell in His presence, we will see great things. Things will be revealed to us for His glory, not ours. These marvelous things will fill our minds with wonder, lift our weary heads, and fan the flame of the Spirit within our hearts.

Holy Spirit, come and fill this place. Speak to our hearts. Stir in us the excitement that caused Andrew and Philip to seek out others with conviction.

August 21, 2018August 13, 2020

John: The Voice of One Calling in the Wilderness

Read: John 1:19-34

We are sure that John the Baptist is not the Apostle John, he’s not the one who wrote the Gospel of John, but the religious powers of his day couldn’t figure out who he was. John the Baptist was baptizing people at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River and apparently attracting quite a lot of attention, or perhaps from the Jewish leadership’s perspective, distracting a lot of people. One thing is sure. John knew his calling. He understood what his life was all about and was relentlessly pursuing Jesus.

John the Baptist:

was not the Messiah: John 1:19-20
was not Elijah: John 1:21, see Malachi 4:5 and 1 Kings 17-19 and 2 Kings 2:1-11
was not the Prophet: John 1:21 and reference by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:14-19

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” John 1:22-23

John’s mission was not to impress anyone with his importance. I don’t even think he was on a mission to gather disciples except where it would help promote the message of repentance and preparation for Jesus. John knows Jesus is among them. This is a truly overwhelming thought:

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:26-27

“But among you…” is an audacious statement that has slipped by me in the past. He’s right here in front of you. And He will be revealed very soon. In fact, the way John (the Gospel writer) puts it, the very next day he has an encounter with Jesus.

John Testifies About Jesus.

Finally, after years of obedience with no guarantee of success, John the Baptist sees Jesus.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ John 1:29-30

John is speaking to his disciples, and he is speaking to us. This is the One, the Lamb of God, the One who was and is, the One who was before and is now. There’s a lot of doctrine wrapped up in this short phrase. I imagine they talked about the concept more than once. The prologue suggests this was something they thought about a lot.

John the Baptist didn’t know Jesus in this way as they grew up. They were cousins in an earthly sense, but their heavenly mission transformed both from ordinary men to extraordinary people from God.

John Knew His Mission on Earth.

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself praying for clarity, a clear mission statement. John had no doubt.

I came that he might be revealed to Israel: John 1:31
God sent me to baptize with water: John 1:33
I would see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33

John knew his mission and he went about it zealously, day after day, with complete confidence holding nothing back.

Then it happened.

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One. John 1:32, 34

Some Thoughts:

I think John was sure he would eventually see Jesus, but he had no idea of when. Day after day John was committed to his work. Each day he woke up, ate some honey and locusts, fluffed his wild hairdo, and then began preaching repentance and baptizing people. How many did he baptize before or after Jesus? No one knows, but try to imagine: one thousand fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five…on and on. The message was of utmost importance. Each time he had to wonder. Is this the one? Nope. Next one? Nope. Again and again.

Was John ever discouraged? There’s no indication that he ever missed a beat, but I have to wonder if he looked at the list of those he baptized a few times to see if he somehow missed the sign. That’s just my mind wandering because there are so many days when I question if I’m on the right track.

What is your wilderness today? You and I may not be standing in a river or eating locusts and wild honey, but if we can see beyond the physical realm and peek into the spiritual world that surrounds us, I think we would see the wilderness with some clarity. Of course, the tempter does not want us to see this nor does he want us to dwell on the thought.

Instead, I think Satan wants us to question being the voice in the wilderness. He wants us to think we are merely drawing attention to ourselves. He feeds us the lie that it’s all about our fame and fortune. I don’t want to say “we” too often. Perhaps you don’t get discouraged or confused, but I have found myself questioning my motives to the point of inaction. Does that make sense? Am I the only one holding back? Is my pursuit of ___ (fill in the blank) ___ all about promoting myself, or is it to help people in their walk with Christ? It sounds easy, but it’s not.

As I get older, my list of failures gets longer. The opportunity to dwell on that which did not work is far longer than the successes I have seen. Here’s the key: focus on the mission statement that was commanded: go and make disciples of Jesus, teach His commands, baptize in His name, repeat until the time on earth is done. If my daily activity is supporting the mission, whatever that activity is, I’m moving in the right direction.

Life in the wilderness may not easy at times, but in comparison to the sacrifice that Jesus made, it’s certainly worth the struggle. Enjoy the successes. When you fail, (and you will if you’re trying) lean forward and fall on your face. Fall forward. Then get up and try again.

August 16, 2018August 12, 2020

John: Prologue

Read: John 1:1-18

The prologue to the Gospel of John is a profound statement that either leaves you in wonder for the rest of the story or drives you away shaking your head. I honestly don’t think there’s much in between. Every time I read these powerful words I’m in awe of the One, the I Am, the Lord of all. I feel inadequate and ill-equipped to explain what it means.

In my mind, I envision an unbeliever stumbling upon these words and looking at me with a puzzled expression and asks, “Do you really believe all of this?” My reply, “Yes indeed! And this is only the beginning of the lesson!!”

As we dive into the Gospel of John take courage and jump in head first. The water is deep, you won’t hit the bottom–I guarantee that! One other promise, I’m not going to answer all of your questions. That’s intentional as much as a confession that I don’t know all the answers. Theologians have invested countless years in unpacking these words, I’m not suddenly showing up with some new revelation, merely walking through the words and listening for the Holy Spirit.

Before you begin, take a moment and pray that your heart will inform your mind. Read these words with faith and let that faith guide your thinking. Add a comment to the blog as we go along to let me know how the words of John (not Dave) are speaking to you.

The Word Became Flesh

The other day I was talking with someone who had more questions than I had answers. It was a great dialogue that I truly enjoyed. In the discussion, I mentioned that I wanted to start a Bible study that would begin with the Gospel of John. He was confused as to why I wouldn’t start with page one, with Genesis. Then I read these words:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

I don’t know if it made sense to him, but I was convicted all the more!

John makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the Word, He was and is and has been from the beginning of time.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. John 1:4

The Light of the World

John will explain this theme in greater detail. For now, let this thought wander in your mind:

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. John 1:10

I find great comfort in this thought. If the world did not recognize Jesus, we should appreciate that many we meet may not understand the Gospel message, no matter how clearly we explain it. Some will be able to make the leap of faith while others will not. Our role is to be consistent in our desire to learn more, to grow in faith, and keep inviting those who are far from Christ into His family.

Children of God

John lets us know that His own will not receive Him, though they knew better than most, that didn’t include everyone.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

Years ago, this was a memory verse from a discipleship class. I wrote a jingle, a little tune, to help me memorize the verse, “He gave the right to become the children, become the children of God.” I’m not going to give you a link to the song, it’s a little embarrassing, but it did help me remember that we have the incredible privilege of being adopted into His family. We are fully accepted and part of His family.

An Aside: John the Baptist

The Apostle John makes it clear that John the Baptist played an important role in the presentation of the gospel. He was the one who told the world with clarity and precision that we’ll read about soon enough.

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:8

It may not seem that significant to us, but for the early church, especially those who were living with John at the time, there was a lot of controversy about John the Baptist. He was definitely different, baptizing people, calling them to confession. He wouldn’t stop. We’ll read more of that in the rest of chapter 1 and the second half of chapter 3.

Incarnation

There’s that word again: incarnation. God who was and is and is yet to come stepped into time in the physical body of Jesus Christ.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Why did He do this? For you. For me. For the person you love and the person you despise. Jesus became flesh and walked around with people, rubbed elbows, ate dinner, laughed, and cried because we are that important to Him, to God, to the Spirit.

I just read Bob Goff’s, Everybody, Always, this past weekend. The subtitle reveals the challenge:

Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People.

If you get a chance to read the book, I suspect you’ll be as challenged as I am to love people who are truly unlovable. I can create a list of people I think are unlovable, but I’m trying to become love as Bob explains through story after story in his short book. After all, Jesus said we should love God and love our neighbors and somewhere in there He said we have to love our enemies.

Here’s the thing: if I struggle to accept people where they are, bad attitude or not, isn’t it infinitely more difficult for the Creator of the universe to accept me? If anyone needs a reason to dispose of me, God could list a hundred reasons (per second). Yet He chose the opposite of what is logical. He chose to come and take on human flesh to demonstrate His unending love.

If God is willing to do that, it should be a simple thing for me, a mere mortal, to love others — everybody, always.

Reflections

Do you believe what we’ve just discussed? Why do you believe what you believe? Hint: you can’t say, “The Bible says…”
Study 1 Peter 3:15-16. Do you have a sense of joy, true awe, and wonder, concerning Jesus Christ? Why?
The NIV Application Commentary suggested this prologue may well have been a hymn sung by the ancient church. The hymn would remind those gathered of these essential truths. Remembering such truths at a time of temptation, trial, or difficulty may be the key to a positive outcome. What song plays in your head during these times?

August 14, 2018September 16, 2021

John: Introduction

For the next three months or so, we will study the book of John. The Apostle John adds a different perspective from Matthew, Mark, and Luke (known as the Synoptic Gospels). John includes stories that are not found elsewhere. He emphasizes the incarnation of Jesus as something we should wrap our minds around. The word incarnation is not one we use in everyday conversation, at least I don’t, but it’s an important concept to consider. Here’s how John defined it:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Jesus was at the beginning as the Word, with God, and with the Holy Spirit. He was eternally present, rather, He is eternally present. (The whole notion of not being bound by time is hard to get my mind around.)

Incarnation means that Jesus, the Word, stepped into time and took on human flesh. John will invest quite a bit of energy trying to help us appreciate the importance of this distinction. I hope you’re willing to take the journey with me!

Different Perspective, Same Story

As mentioned early, John’s perspective is different, but this is all part of the same story.

While ninety percent of Mark’s stories appear in either Matthew or Luke, ninety percent of the Fourth Gospel—the Gospel of John—is unique. The Bible Project

Having read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts, we now get to take a distinctly different view that should give us a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Messiah as fully human and fully divine.

Here’s a sketch of the Book of John that provides an insightful overview of his account of the life of Jesus.

TheBibleProject_John — Overview of John by The Bible Project

That’s pretty intense! I made a poster of this to help as we study the Gospel of John and I hope it’s helpful for you. Here are links to The Bible Project’s videos that provide a great overview: Part 1 Part 2.

Bible Study on the Gospel of John: Here’s the link to the page that contains the current handouts for those participating in the Bible study. [ Handouts ]

This will be an exciting journey as we learn about the life of Jesus through John’s personal encounter with the Son of God. Expect to be challenged. This is going to be fantastic!

Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

One of the many things I’ve paid particular attention to this time through the Bible is that Luke and Acts were written by Luke and can really be considered one continuous story. The Bible Project suggests there are five books, based on our modern Bible divisions, that are considered “the Gospel of Jesus.” Essentially, they combine Luke and Acts and refer to it as Luke-Acts. As I was blogging through Luke, it only seemed fitting that the post after Luke 24 should be from Acts 1. I didn’t read The Bible Project’s introduction before, but I definitely support their perspective now.

If I had read this statement a year ago, or if you asked me in a game of Bible Trivia, I would have said there are four books that form the Gospel. I would have been wrong.

The Forest

It’s important not to win a trivia contest and miss the opportunity to hear the voice of God through His word. This is not to suggest that we should merely swim on the surface, skimming over the deep details that make up the Bible. Nor am I suggesting we need to strap on some deepwater diving gear and go down to the bottom of the Mariana Trench to understand every pixel in every image portrayed.

Let’s meet somewhere in the middle. The internet provides links to a seemingly endless stream of information, but we only need so much to make sense of the context of the stories we read. I’m in awe of those who have dedicated their lives to add to the body of knowledge to support the biblical accounts.

Contemporary Context

My present effort is mostly focused on finding sources that appear trustworthy to help me understand the narrative better, especially as it seems to relate to our contemporary context. This is what I like to call the “so what” portion of every post. If my words don’t add to a better understanding of the passage, they fail the “so what” test. As I type the blog, I take lots of notes. Fortunately for you, there are many thoughts that get deleted when I review what’s written before hitting the “publish” button. Hopefully.

Some days I probably don’t review the words enough. That’s where you come in and that’s why there is a space for comments. My prayer is these words will inform and challenge, but when I leave a gap, please take a moment and fill it with your thoughts. That’s the challenge.

For those who prefer to listen to the posts, the podcast is available here: https://anchor.fm/dave-r-phillips. I’m still recording the posts, but it’s a start.

Index with Links to blog posts on John

I’ll update this list as we go through the Gospel of John

The Synoptic Gospels: The word “synoptic” comes from the Greek word synoptikos, meaning “able to be seen together.” Source: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/synoptic-gospels/

Podcast

I’m working on a Podcast to go along with this series. Stay tuned in at the following link if you enjoy listening on the go!
https://anchor.fm/dave-r-phillips

August 11, 2018

Acts: Conclusion and Epilogue

Read: Acts 28:16-31

Wow! We’ve already come to the end of Luke’s amazing writing for us as he wraps up the book of Acts. The story began with the resurrected Christ challenging us to go and be His witnesses throughout the world and ends some 30+ years later on a high note that is still ringing today. In my sometimes wild imagination, I can see a very old Luke writing this last section after so many ups and downs in his life. I’m in awe of this old man that traveled during times that were difficult, to say the least, who no doubt ministered to many without the luxury of a Bible, survived a shipwreck then invested his time chronicling the Apostles actions for us to appreciate 2,000 years later.

Take a deep breath and pause to appreciate the sacrifice these men and women gave so we could read these stories.

In Rome

As the centurion responsible for delivering all of the prisoners to Rome, perhaps Lucius’s last act of kindness toward Paul was to allow him to live in custody rather than in the dark cells that prisoners expected. He was no doubt moved by the events on Malta. James would suggest, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2), but who would have thought that this would have included such a wild journey? What if they would have set for Rome a month earlier, had perfect weather, and landed without delay? Would Paul have been given this privilege?

When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Acts 28:16

Assembly of Jews

Just three days after arriving Paul addressed the Jews that were assembled in Rome and takes time to recount his story to gain their respect:

The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” Acts 28:19-20

Remember back in Acts 18:1-3 we read that Paul met Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth because they were kicked out of Rome. If they were kicked out of Rome, how was it that Paul was meeting with a Jewish assembly? The answer is recorded in historical journals that show the expulsion lasted for about five years. Bible timelines set the time in Acts 18 around A.D. 51. Acts 28 covers events about eleven years later.

This context helps me appreciate the Jews’ response that they hadn’t heard anything bad about Paul from Judea. Instead, they seem to be all ears for what Paul had to say.

But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” Acts 28:22

“People everywhere are talking,” some things never change!

Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. Acts 28:24

At the risk of being redundant: some things never change!

Paul’s Reaction

In the words of Luke, here’s a lesson for us to consider as we go about the business of being Jesus’s witnesses to the ends of the earth:

The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

Go to this people and say,
You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen! Acts 28:25-28

Some will listen, some will not. Regardless, our mission is to preach the gospel to the entire world so they will have a chance to hear.

Epilogue

Luke leaves us with these encouraging words and with an exclamation point:

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:30-31

This is the 51st post written to guide our journey through Acts. It’s difficult to express how significant the words have been to this Christ-follower. I hope you have heard from the Lord like never before.

Great lesson on Acts: https://bibletalk.tv/pauls-journey-to-rome

August 10, 2018August 10, 2018

Acts: Paul Finally Gets to Rome

Read: Acts 28:1-15

After the shipwreck, as Paul prophesied, they all landed safely on the shores of Malta. The Islanders were kind-hearted people that were definitely not Jewish and unfamiliar with Christ. Paul probably thought this was an amazing opportunity! Luke provides a firsthand account of the miracles on Malta which serve to ignite Paul’s ministry there. After wintering on the island, they finally get to Rome where word of their arrival was anticipated by brothers and sisters of the faith. They were all received well.

The Roman centurion, Julius, must have been truly impressed by these events. Luke doesn’t mention him in his narrative directly, but Acts 28:16 indicates that Paul was allowed to live by himself with only a Roman guard. I’m confident that Paul was not trying to impress Julius, he was merely serving the Lord by his actions. Yet I am sure that Julius watched carefully and I hope that his observations led him to Christ. We certainly have no information that would support his conversion, so I’m not trying to add to scripture. It’s just important to appreciate that people will observe how we act, how we treat each other and draw their own conclusions about Christianity based on what they see. This is exactly what the Maltese people did.

Miracles on Malta

These were a kind people. They didn’t need doctrine or theology to help those who were in need. I imagine they say the ship as it approached the island, then the nearly 300 castaways as they found the beach simply trying to survive.

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Acts 28:2

The island is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. My guess is this wasn’t a completely unusual event. As I researched Paul’s voyage to Rome several commentators concluded that it was crazy to sail at this time of year. Even without The Weather Channel, they knew it was a bad time to have large cargo ships sailing about.

With the fire started, Paul gathered wood to help warm things up and was bitten by a viper which attached itself to his hand. The Islanders concluded Paul must have been truly evil.

This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live. Acts 28:4

What happened next would likely be responsible for changing the course of history for the island nation of Malta. Paul merely shook the snake off of his hand and went about his business. The Islanders decided that Paul must be a god!

Next up, the chief official of the island, Publius, welcomed Paul and his group to his home. Again we read about incredible generosity. I’m reminded that people can be incredibly loving without knowing Christ. Just because people aren’t following Jesus, they are not inherently bad, but they still need Jesus!

At some point Publius let Paul know that his father was ill.

His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. Acts 28:8

I wonder if Paul (or Luke) mentioned that Christ could heal the sick as they spoke? In my mind, Paul’s kindness matched Publius’ hospitality. He walked into his father’s room and felt compassion. I don’t envision any religious display or rituals, just simply caring for the sick. Paul likely spoke to him, then prayed and through the power of Christ healed him. Luke tells us that the rest of those who were sick came and Paul healed them all. I think that would cement my decision to follow Christ!

Paul’s 3-month visit to Malta had a profound impact on their history. According to The World Factbook (CIA), Malta is more than 90% Roman Catholic based on 2006 estimates. I’m pretty sure they have a fondness for Saint Paul.

Welcome to Rome

Once winter was over, they made arrangments to head to Rome. Luke provides details of the journey with specific references to the ports they made on their way.

There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. Acts 28:14

Somehow they knew Paul was arriving. This part of the story has a warm and happy ending.

At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. Acts 28:15

The journey to Rome has been a long and difficult road. Imprisoned for years and still in custody, Paul made the best of bad times and stayed focused on ministering to those he meets wherever he goes.

One of the phrases I really dislike, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it in my blog before, is the idea that “things could be worse.” Anytime trouble arrives at my front door whether, in the form of sickness, family, finances, friends, or rejection, someone has to say, “well, it could be worse.” *sigh* Let me avoid being guilty of suggesting we read Paul’s account and compare our current problems with his as a way of diminishing whatever trials we are going through today.

Paul did not seek to be arrested to preach in Rome. He certainly didn’t choose threats on his life or being shipwrecked. He simply chose to stay focused on spreading the Gospel. His reputation proceeded him. My prayer is that my own focus would be fixed on Christ, that every conversation would be lined with compassion, care, and concern. Our mission is clear and unique to each of us. Go and make disciples with the assurance that Jesus is with you!

August 9, 2018

Acts: Paul Sails for Rome

Read: Acts 27

Luke invites us to join him on Paul’s voyage to Rome. The detailed account of this story is probably based on Luke’s experience with Paul on this journey. In the narrative, we read many nautical terms that demonstrate their familiarity with traveling by sea. I’ve heard sermons in the past from retired Navy Captains that are incredibly enlightening in this context. I’m not a sailor myself, but even I can feel the tension that’s present in this chapter.

It’s a great story that continues to show Paul as one who is constantly focused on his ministry. There are many actors in the drama including the ship’s captain, a Roman centurion, sailors, prisoners, Aristarchus, Luke, and Paul. All set out on a journey that will be fraught with trouble from the beginning because they chose to sail at a time when most would have waited.

Julius the Centurion

Julius is the Roman leader responsible for delivering Paul and the prisoners to their final destination. It’s interesting the Luke and Aristarchus are included in the narrative since they were obviously not prisoners. One sermon I listened to compared the ship to that of a modern city bus, stopping at ports along the way, some passengers got on and off as desired. Julius made sure his people were accounted for.

For some reason, when they get to the port in Sidon, Julius allowed Paul to visit his friends.

Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. Acts 27:3

I believe this was synonymous with ministering to a church he planted in that city or surrounding areas. Whether Julius was a Christ-follower or not is pure speculation, but he was certainly committed to ensuring Paul would complete his journey…even if he didn’t always agree with Paul.

…instead of listening to what Paul said, [Julius] followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. Acts 27:11-12

Julius wasn’t always right, but he was definitely in charge.

The Storm Rages On

For 14 days they were tossed about, a frightening time at sea, even for the most experienced.

On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. Acts 27:19-20

All hope was lost, except for Paul. At the beginning Paul provided his recommendation to stay put, to avoid sailing at this time of year. He reminds them of this advice when he tells them about a visit from an angel. This is significant:

²¹ …Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³ Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶ Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:21-16

His advice was not prophetic, but the rest of what Paul has to say is from the angel. Not one will perish, but the ship will indeed be lost.

Paul said they would be saved, he did not promise it would be easy.

Julius is on Paul’s side now and prevents the soldiers from killing the prisoners. He believes Paul completely at this point. Though God’s providence, they are indeed shipwrecked, all make it to the shore successfully. All 276 people. When I read this number, my perspective changed quite a bit. This was not a small little boat being tossed about. Even if the prisoners made up the majority of the count and were bound in close quarters, this was a sizeable vessel.

Paul’s Ministry Continued

Through it all, we see Paul consistently stayed on mission. I can’t imagine after 14 days of being tossed about with no sun and no stars that I could stand among starving people and suggest,

Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” Acts 27:33-34

Paul was obedient and one hundred percent sure that they would all arrive in Rome. Jesus told him he would. There was no room for doubt.

Is there something you’ve heard from God that leaves you without a doubt? Have you been able to quiet your mind long enough to let your heart feel the presence of the Holy Spirit? I’m not going to lie and tell you I have complete clarity, but I will keep praying, meditating, listening, and seeking Jesus with all of my heart until I come face-to-face with my Savior. I hope you will too.

The journey is not safe, but the destination is worth it. Sail on people, sail on.

August 7, 2018

Acts: King Agrippa and Bernice Hear Paul’s Testimony

Read: Acts 25:13-26:32

This narrative begins with Festus talking to King Agrippa and his sister Bernice about an interesting case, i.e., Paul and the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem. Festus had a problem. He didn’t know how to write the letter to the Emporer, so he took the opportunity to ask Agrippa and Bernice for advice. King Agrippa is intrigued by the case and asks to have a chat with Paul. Festus made the arrangements for the next day. Paul seized the opportunity to tell his story all wrapped up in the gospel message. We don’t really know if Agrippa and Bernice were changed, but Paul was able to share the message with clarity, though he remained a prisoner.

Festus

Of all the things Festus likely talked to Agrippa about, he chose to discuss the odd case of Paul and the Jews. It’s not surprising that he would bring this up because Agrippa knew a lot about the Jews. Paul uses this detail in his argument (see Acts 26:3). Festus’ summary includes an absurd notion that the central character The Way, Jesus, was crucified but is no longer dead.

Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. Acts 25:19-20

At a loss, he appeals to one he hoped to please.

Agrippa and Bernice

Agrippa yields the floor to Paul and invites him to speak. As mentioned above, Paul’s argument includes an appropriate preamble:

King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. Acts 26:2-3

I love the way Paul sets up his defense with respect and dignity. There’s a lesson to learn in that alone. He also clears the way for taking some time to explain his case completely, i.e., present the entire Gospel message.

Paul’s defense adds to the narrative Luke provided in Acts 9. Considering his desire to chronicle events in an orderly fashion, I would suggest this is by design. Paul’s conversion (as Saul) in Acts 9 focuses on the interaction with Ananias. Here, the focus is more on his interaction with Jesus.

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Acts 26:14

The explanation and reference at the bottom of this post explain that:

To “kick against the goads” is nothing less than an exercise in vanity; futile and pointless. The Greeks and Romans used this saying to imply ‘ruinous resistance.’See Goads

Agrippa and Bernice patiently listen to the entire presentation. They know what Paul is getting at, Festus is not quite following when Paul explains that Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” Acts 26:24

Agrippa gets it:

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Acts 26:28

I love Paul’s response, and while I know I’m including lots of quotes here, I’m not ashamed:

Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29

Short or long, we’re in this for the long haul.

I pray that each of us will be patient as we pursue our call to ministry, our deep desire to reach those who are lost and make disciples of the world. Join Paul in praying that all who are listening will become a follower of Jesus Christ.

Goads: The phrase was a common expression found in both Greek and Latin literature at the time of St. Paul. It was a rural image, which rose from the practice of farmers goading their oxen in the fields. Goads were typically made from slender pieces of timber, blunt on one end and pointed on the other. Farmers used the pointed end to urge a stubborn ox into motion. Foolishly, an ox might kick against the goad, causing injury and pain to its leg. Source

August 5, 2018

Acts: Paul and Festus

Read: Acts 25:1-22

Paul’s time in prison continued in Caesarea when Festus succeeded Felix. To properly understand what’s going on here, I have to try and think like the presiding governors of that time. As I consider the events of that time, the story makes much more sense. Paul appears to have access to information about continued threats for his life by the Jews hell-bent on killing him. Even if he didn’t have a constant stream of updates, it’s reasonable to accept that those sworn to kill him would look for any opportunity to complete their vows.

Festus and the Jewish Leaders

Just after Festus took charge, the Jewish leaders seek him out and attempt to get access to Paul.

They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Acts 25:3

Festus would not lower himself to be manipulated by the Jewish leaders. Politically speaking, it made no sense that he would capitulate so early in his time as governor of the region. If they wanted to play, they would have to come on his terms in his stronghold.

Prisons

One of the questions that come to mind concerns that of what prisons were like back in A.D. 50. As I researched this topic I found it interesting to consider that prisons were focused on holding people for trial or execution. In other words, people weren’t incarcerated for a period of time as punishment. Prisons were a holding tank for those two primary reasons. If you were waiting for a trial, the wait could be quite long, as in Paul’s case. If you were waiting for execution, it’s just a matter of logistics: you’ll be executed when it’s convenient for the executioner.

Sidenote on Felix

Several questions remain unanswered in my mind and I couldn’t help but backtrack a bit. Paul’s interaction with Felix is interesting. Remember that Luke added that Felix was hoping for a bribe in Acts 24:26. Paul was a man of influence, even Felix could see that. His perspective seems to be focused on how to benefit from having Paul as his prisoner. I found the following post from Birmingham Theological Seminary well written and quite interesting:

Now, in God’s mysterious providence, Felix was a dishonest ruler. Based on the insufficient accusations against Paul, Felix could have released him. But he didn’t. Instead, he saw an opportunity for personal gain. So, he held off ruling on the case, preferring to wait for Paul to offer him a bribe. Source

Felix essentially owned Paul. He could keep him restrained indefinitely under the guise of protection for Paul and peace for the region. This continued for two years as Luke noted in Acts 24:27, roughly A.D. 57-59.

The Trial (sorta)

The Jewish leaders made the journey to Caesarea to present their case against Paul for Festus to hear.

When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. Acts 25:7

We’re not given a lot of details here, but it seems like the same questions were considered along with the same lack of evidence to prove that Paul had done anything to motivate Festus to take action.

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:8

Paul’s words are carefully chosen to reiterate this is a Roman matter, which implies that Festus needs to remain in control. The Jewish argument about desecrating their temple is of little interest to the Romans. It appears the Jewish attorney must have implied Paul was a problem for Caesar.

Let’s not forget that Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision and told him “so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Here is Paul’s opportunity.

If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” Acts 25:11

The words, “I appeal to Caesar” are significant. Festus confers with his council and declares:

You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go! Acts 25:12

Some Thoughts

In our modern world, at least in this society, we might consider having a case appealed up through judicial lines all the way to the Supreme Court. This is an expensive process in both time and money with no guarantee of success. The Supreme Court can refuse to hear the case, send it back to the lower court, or worse, deny the justice we sought at the beginning.

Though I’m sure there are a thousand technical differences, the concept was the same for Paul. He was fueled by Jesus’ clear statement to present his case, and therefore the Gospel message, in Rome. But there were no guarantees. He simply had to remain true to his calling and obedient to his task.

Lord, I pray that I can be consistent in a world that wants to pull me one way or another depending on the desire of those around me.