love – Page 7 – Dave R Phillips

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 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 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 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

July 29, 2018

Acts: Paul in Jerusalem, Part 2

Read: Acts 21:27-36

Paul was received well but given a task to go through some purification ritual to appease the Jewish Christians (see Part 1). Trouble finds him before he gets to finish the process. In this part, we’ll focus on the few verses that turn the corner in the story. Paul was warned by his brothers and sisters that Jerusalem would not turn out well. He did not know, however, from which direction trouble would come. There’s a lot more to this story than a few simple verses. May the Spirit speak to you as you dwell on this passage.

Some Jews

Luke is careful not to point fingers at those who caused problems. They are nameless and are not the point of the story. The fact that the crowd is so easily swayed should get our attention.

When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him… Acts 21:27

Before we chalk this up as another, “that’s what those crazy people did back then” experience, take a look at how the argument is constructed. Paul is accused of two things, the latter of which is worth a bit of a study. Here are their main points:

Paul is teaching everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place and
he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place

The first point doesn’t seem to get much traction. Perhaps even in ancient times, such overarching accusations are quickly dismissed. Anytime I see a post, whatever the platform, that suggests “everyone” or “everywhere” I’m quick to move on. I’d rather see a picture of a family playing dominoes!

The second point escaped me as significant until I did some research. The NIV Study Bible includes this note:

Any Gentiles found within the bounds of the court of Israel would be killed. But there is no evidence that Paul had brought anyone other than Jews into the area. NIV Study Bible, p.1870

The NIV Application Commentary explains this even further (see note below). The point I’m trying to make is that one who wants to create dissension, those who want to cause a riot, “they” who want to divide the church will keep looking until they find that which will create the reaction they want.

Remember how the Jewish leaders kept looking for ways to crucify Jesus. Time after time they tried to find an angle that would work until they finally won. They manipulated Pilate and the crowd to gain what they wanted.

Whole City Aroused

We only read two items of accusation, but the second one was the key. Luke tells us the whole city is aroused. With large numbers of people encouraging immediate action, they grab Paul, drag him from the temple where he was simply trying to fulfill the requirements of purification. He’s accused and beaten by people who feel their temple has been desecrated. This is important to me. I’m not about to suggest their actions were right, but consider what this means to them and their understanding of the temple.

This was the place where they met God. I believe there were many devout Jews who studied the prophets, knew the tainted history of their ancestors and wanted to remain pure. They remembered how Jeroboam misled the people and how his actions ultimately divided Israel. The temple was the one thing that remained. Hear me on this. They had become so entranced by their own zealousness that they lost sight of God’s relentless pursuit of a relationship with all people. There were scores of people in agreement, that’s why the crowd was easily stirred.

These were not ignorant men and women. I think we like to discount their intellectual capacity because they didn’t know then what we know now. Please don’t jump on that train. They were wrong, without a doubt, but I will maintain they were wrong for good reasons–that is my point. Wrong is still wrong even if it is for reasons we can justify.

Roman Intervention

The Roman commander got involved to squelch the riot.

He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Acts 21:32

After binding Paul in chains he asks the rioters for some explanation. It was quickly apparent that they had no rational reason for killing this man. For the sake of maintaining good order and discipline, the commander took Paul to the barracks for further investigation.

When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!” Acts 21:35-36

The scene is one of great turmoil. Recent riots in this country come to mind. It’s sad to see people moved beyond rational behavior, yet I sympathize with a desire to want to scream out at injustice when I see it. How do we maintain a fighting spirit while being objective?

They

I know I’ve used the term, “they” way too many times in this post. Forgive me. I am trying to make a point. They are anonymous. It’s safe to be hidden in the crowd, but we were not called to safety. Nor are we called to incite riots. If anything, the riot I would endorse is one of radical love as Jesus demonstrated and Paul taught. I would like to be a part of “they” who love with kindness and patience and without reservation or qualification.

The story doesn’t end here for Paul and it’s just beginning for us. I pray that we will learn how to be a people who are willing to speak out for the love of Christ in a way the honors and draws people to Jesus.

NIVAC Note: Bruce explains the seriousness of their charge: “The Roman authorities were so conciliatory of Jewish religious scruples in this regard that they authorized the death sentence for this trespass even when the offenders were Roman citizens.” Citing evidence from Josephus and Philo, Bruce says that notices in Latin and Greek were fixed to the barrier between the inner and outer courts, warning Gentiles that death was the penalty for going any further. 8 “The whole city was aroused” (v. 30a), and the people dragged Paul out of the temple. The gates of the temple were shut (v. 30b), possibly to avoid defiling the temple from the chaos.

Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 86293-86298). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

July 28, 2018

Acts: Paul in Jerusalem, Part 1

Read: Acts 21:17-26

Paul, Luke, and the entire group were warmly received when they arrived in Jerusalem. James, the brother of Jesus, and the elders of the church are excited to hear the news of Paul’s missionary efforts, but there is a problem that requires resolution in the eyes of the established Church. There is so much to learn from this story in Acts that we need to take this in pieces. This is just Part 1. Pray with me as I venture through this incredible section of Acts.

Warm Reception

It started out great! Christians were eager to hear the stories about Paul’s extensive travels. This was a meeting they were really looking forward to.

Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Acts 21:19-20

They are excited to hear about Paul’s success. The result of his ministry is that “many thousands” have believed. This is amazing! Seriously, I’d be overjoyed to see a hundred people come to Christ or even a dozen. Lord, I pray that we aren’t captivated by numbers, but also that we would not shy away from them either.

Paul was aware that many had become Christians, but that was not something he counted. Perhaps his math included the denominator of the entire world to keep him humble. In this case, thousands divided by billions is a rather small fraction. Every individual counts. Enough math for the day!

The Problem

There seems to be a problem here, something that Paul needs to consider before continuing his ministry in the Jewish capital.

They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? Acts 21:21-22

Oh *#@__%! The potential for dividing the Church is huge. The solution, in this case, is to do that which will be understood by those who stand in judgment. They devise a method that should be seen as evidence for his purification and acceptability. This includes a seven-day ritual that required steps which are impossible to hide, beginning with shaving your head.

The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. Acts 21:26

Paul doesn’t waste time and energy trying to prove his point. Instead, he accepted their decision and honored their authority by submitting to their process.

If Paul was willing to go through this ritual in an effort to win the Jews, we must evaluate how we interact with the established Church in this time before burning any bridges. It’s complicated and messy. When we look at this event in hindsight it’s easy to join the host of commentators that suggest this was a mistake by Paul, that he should have stood his ground and defended his right to be an individual in Christ. We know he was a persuasive orator that could have easily collected arguments in his favor, but that is not what he did.

Paul preached that he was a chameleon, willing to become whatever he needed to win people to Christ. He told us to do the same. Why would this be any different to Christians? Paul was not impressed with the number of converts, nor was he distracted by aspirations of fame and fortune. His time on earth was dedicated to winning souls for Christ.

One who has died to self has a love that “does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NRSV). To Paul the unity of the church was so important that a big price was well worth paying in order to preserve it. We ought to recover this perspective in today’s church. NIVAC Note

Some Thoughts

Things go south rather quickly at this point. The story changes dramatically. I’ve decided to cover this in part 2 rather than squeeze all the thoughts into one post.

The question we are compelled to ponder is how we act within the established Church. It’s clear to me that there are many problems in the Church. I could list a dozen significant issues that must be dealt with immediately. This passage begs me to consider my words carefully. It does not suggest complacency or inaction. I’m not compelled to accept mistakes being made and cower to them. I am, however, entreated to appreciate that all have sinned, each of us, including myself–we live in a fallen world.

Paul preached unity over and over again. We should be a united people who cling to our similarities more than fight over differences. Those outside the Christian faith aren’t interested in this kind of pettiness. They have no time to study why we should do one thing over the other or take a position on either side. They simply view Christians as people who can’t even get their story straight. As a result, they stay away seeming to say, “when Y’all get your act together, give me a call.”

There is so little time to do the ministry for our Lord on this earth. We need to be a band that plays together, that leaves space for each to play his part.

Lord, help me understand how to work within the Church to draw those who would otherwise stay away. Give me the voice of reason that helps churches sharpen their swords of truth for Your benefit. I don’t really know what this looks like for the future. If I need to shave my head and pay the price for someone else, then I need to have a humble attitude and grab the razor! Help us all to hear your voice and act in obedience.

NIVAC Note: Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 86346-86348). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

July 26, 2018July 26, 2018

Acts: On the Way to Jerusalem

Read: Acts 21:1-16

Luke provides a dramatic story of their journey from Miletus to Jerusalem. He begins by enunciating the emotional departure from the Elders as they began their journey through several cities. They stayed in Tyre for a week and ministered to the church in this challenging city. As the story unfolds, I’m swept away by the depth of the bond these people had for Paul, those who were disciples, and for the young Church. How I long for this sense of deep connection in the Church today. Take a look and see the highlights Luke provides for us.

Tyre for a Week

Luke writes himself into this story, he is with them on the journey as they sail to the metropolis of Tyre, the huge port city. Tyre has a significant history in the Bible. Notable names like Joshua, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, to name a few, come from the Old Testament. Jesus traveled there as well and many from Tyre witnessed His teaching and miracles. Suffice it to say, it was an important city.

We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. Acts 21:4-5

In my imagination, the video switches to slow motion as the group leaves. Men, women, and children all walking out with Paul and his team. The music is melancholy. There is a heaviness about this visit that is unexplainable except to say they knew in their hearts this was Paul’s last visit. And they cared.

Maybe it’s just me or perhaps you feel the same longing for a community of faith that is this close. Lord, help us to be a people that are moved by this story. Show us how we can become people that love You with all our heart and love our neighbors as well. Make this the new normal.

Agabus the Prophet

From Tyre they traveled to Ptolemais then to Philip’s house (one of the Seven) in Caesarea where Agabus had a message to deliver.

Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:11

This is the second time on this journey that Paul has been warned to stay away from Jerusalem. His response is a testimony to his desire to follow Christ, no matter what.

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:13-14

As I’m typing this post, I received an email from The Voice of the Martyrs with the subject: How You Can Pray for and Help 10,000 Displaced Christians. I’m reminded that Paul’s example of obedience is repeated by many throughout the world today. We have many brothers and sisters who have found themselves in danger for the sake of the Gospel.

This is not a plea to go and look for trouble. Far from it. It is, however, a recognition that this is a very real possibility in our world today. One of the initial questions in Multiply asks what it might cost you to become a disciple of Christ. Paul knew the answer. How about you?

The early disciples risked much to pursue their faith in Jesus. As I sit in my home to reflect on this passage I have to wonder if I’m a bit too comfortable. As I said above, I don’t think Jesus is calling us to look for problems, but I’m pretty sure He didn’t call us to sit in rocking chairs and be content in our own private little worlds.

Lord, help me to see that which is right in front of me and move me to action. Stir in my heart that which stirs Yours. Do not allow me to be content and complacent. Light the fire that is the beacon of hope for the lost, the least, and the lonely.

July 22, 2018

The Miracle of the Bible

As I was reading Acts 20, I couldn’t help but stop and wonder about Luke, the author, and the Bible itself. I don’t want to forget the human element that is part of the divine inspiration which we believe is the result of this thing we call the Bible. Luke is the author who is inspired by God to narrate the story for future generations. This is incredibly remarkable when you stop and think about it. His careful selection of events that included himself, as in this chapter, and others that he knew about provide a timeless narrative that gives us direction today. I would suggest this concept should be known as The Miracle of the Bible.

It’s a book that is beyond fascinating. It captures the imagination of generations before and after Jesus’s appearance on earth. It’s not meant to be idolized, put on a shelf and worshiped, or cherry-picked apart to support our individual positions for or against anything. It is, rather, an invitation to hear the voice of God in narrative form.

One analogy I’ve used recently is to suggest reading the Bible is like getting a phone call from a dear friend, perhaps your best friend. I hope you have someone in your life that is so significant to you that you would answer the phone at all hours of the day or night, allow them to interrupt meetings, or drop everything to help you out anytime.

Reading the Bible is like one of those calls. When the phone rings, flashes, or vibrates, I’m eager to answer it. Depending on circumstances, I might answer with some anxiety if I sense something is wrong. If it rings at 2 am, I’m pretty sure something is amiss! There are many stories in the Bible that read like this. Stories of despair, anger, hostility, revolt, or just plain bad news. Other stories are exciting and encourage me to tell others.

This blog has been growing for some years now. What I’ve found is the more I read and write about what I’m learning, the more interesting the Bible becomes. Each time I learn something different. It might be a new angle or perhaps a gap was filled from some other source. Sometimes just doing life with another person exposes some Scripture that I seem to have missed in the past.

All I know is this: the more I read, the more I grow. The more I grow, the more I’m able to help others. Oddly enough, my definition of love has grown deeper. My patience for others is extended beyond my own understanding. My joy for hearing from God is difficult to explain. I’m not anywhere close to being done, but I have a peace in my heart that is there to share with others. I pray that I’m becoming kinder and gentler, but I have a lot of work to do in this regard.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It’s not good enough for me to be encouraged or uplifted by God’s Word in the Bible. It’s only useful if it is shared with others. Dig deep, my friends. Find the treasure that’s buried within the inspired Word of God for all people and for all time. It’s amazing! It is The Miracle of the Bible.

July 19, 2018July 19, 2018

Acts: On Being Discouraged

Read: Acts 17:32-18:22

While I’m a proponent of the old adage, never say never, I’m confident in making this statement: any endeavor that runs counter to culture will be met with resistance. If you’re doing something that’s “never been done that way,” be prepared for a bumpy ride. After reflecting on yesterday’s post, I thought this was a good time to pause and emphasize how Paul was encouraged in a variety of ways so when we run up against those who sneer (Acts 17:32), become abusive (Acts 18:6) or attack us (Acts 18:12), we might find encouragement.

It’s one thing to simply suggest we should ignore the negative press, but it’s another to look directly at the attacks and find where the Spirit is sending encouragement. It’s in the midst of attacks where we can lose our minds, well, at least that’s where I’m most vulnerable. How about you?

At the end of Acts 17, Paul has little to be encouraged about. He’s invested significant time in Athens, only to be sneered at and rejected by most. While “some believed” and wanted to learn more, I can’t help but conclude he was pretty depressed as he traveled to Corinth.

Luke shows us how Paul is able to ride the waves of discouragement on the shoulders of believers who demonstrated their love during the trials. I have to believe this helped form Paul’s thoughts on spiritual gifts, love, and roles in the church that we read in his letters to the churches he planted.

Aquila and Priscilla – Acts 18:1-2

On arrival in Corinth, Paul was greeted by fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla. They became partners in ministry as Aquila and Priscilla exercise their gift of hospitality to encourage Paul. It’s a great reminder for us to develop true friendships as we do ministry. Few things encourage a brother or sister in Christ as a loving Christian family.

Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia – Acts 18:5

The arrival of Silas and Timothy greatly encourages Paul. As mentioned in the previous post, Paul is able to refocus on his dominant gifts as a preacher, teacher, and evangelist.

Titius Justus – Acts 18:7

Paul shook out his clothes at the Jews that opposed him, but God opened the door of the home next to the synagogue: Titius Justus. As simple as this sounds, this is a significant gesture of kindness that provided Paul with a space to relax. Don’t discount the need for rest.

Crispus and his Household – Acts 18:8

The Jews, as a whole, are resistant to Paul’s message, but here we find the synagogue ruler, Crispus, and his entire family were converted. This is a great boost to his ministry and probably a huge benefit to the church in Corinth.

The Vision – Acts 18:9-10

No doubt, the greatest encouragement was from Jesus Himself in a vision to Paul. It’s important to see how God reassures His troubled servants at crucial times. Such comfort is a welcome relief in times of difficulty.

The Result

Paul’s ministry was fruitful and he was able to serve in Corinth for eighteen months. His letters to the church, First and Second Corinthians, give us some great insight into the struggles he fought against in those days. I look forward to re-reading those letters soon!

Lord, I’m so thankful for people who are kind, patient, and truly loving. Remind us of the powerful gift of hospitality, whether or not it shows up as our dominant gifting. Please send people like Aquila, Priscilla, Titius, and Crispus to encourage us to do the ministry you have given each of us. All for the building up of the body of Christ, for making disciples that make disciples.