Day 186: Acts 23:11-35

“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’” - Acts‬ ‭23:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Someone who is unafraid doesn’t need to be told to “take courage.” It isn’t an accident that Jesus meets Paul in a place of fear. He knew what it would take to see this through to Rome.

Courage.

The Greek word here is tharseō. Louw and Nida define it as "to have confidence and firmness of purpose in the face of danger or testing."  Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 305)

Jesus similarly used the same word when speaking to his disciples the night He was betrayed. He said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB95)

What Paul was about to face (imprisonment and shipwreck) required more than he currently possessed. He was going to need courage.

Isn’t it fascinating what kind of sign God gives him immediately? Paul’s nephew, whom many believe was between high school and college-age, warns of an assassination attempt that was about to take place.

Courage always comes with a crew, and sometimes that group is comprised of family. This is the only way Paul would make it to Rome, and it’s the only way we will fight this good fight as followers of Jesus today.

Day 185: Acts 22:17-30, 23:1-10

“Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’” - Acts 23:6 ESV

In our reading for today, Paul found himself in an impossible situation. He faced back-to-back threats:

1. Flogging and interrogation

2. Condemnation of the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court)

He craftily sidestepped them both.

Did he do this because he was a coward? No, we know for a fact that he wasn't opposed to suffering for Christ's sake. He saw it as part of the Christian experience.

Check out 2 Corinthians 11:25: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.” (see also, 2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet, in this instance, Paul wasn't going to be unnecessarily mistreated. He would use his intellect to his advantage in order to ensure safe passage to Rome, the largest microphone of his day.

Did you know it is also acceptable for you to use your intellect to ensure you have maximum influence among those who have yet to follow Jesus by faith? We aren't afraid to become martyrs for Christ's sake. We don't have to acquiesce to avoidable mistreatment.

Jesus, give us the kind of wisdom that Paul had, which only comes through your Holy Spirit.

Day 184: Acts 21:37-40, 22:1-16

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." - Acts 22:16 ESV

Paul's enter-at-your-own-risk trip to Jerusalem has led to an incredible opportunity. The mob which was trying to kill him now becomes an audience for his testimony. This speaks to how much compassion Paul had for the Israelite people (who were his own).

In this carefully crafted message, Paul gives us a few more details about Ananias' role in his conversion to Christianity. As you may recall from Acts 9, Ananias was not, at first, a willing participant in being sent to the murderous Pharisee. He responded to Jesus' command with a question: "Have you not heard how bad this guy is toward Your people?" Jesus had heard (and seen) it all.

The language Ananias uses is so powerful. This time, he asked Paul a question: "Why do you delay?" Paul didn't need more than three days to realize that this Jesus who knocked him on his back (with light) was the Son of God, risen and exalted.

One of the ways I've been praying this verse is to ask that certain non-Christians would not delay, that they would respond quickly in faith via confession and baptism.

Who are you praying for to come to faith in Jesus? Perhaps praying this verse is a way to refocus us on the urgency and necessity of salvation from sin.

In contrasting Cain's descendants with Seth's, Moses includes this detail as he wrote:

"Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD." - Genesis 4:26 NIV

May we and all those we are working to reach do the same. We pray it in Jesus' name, Amen.

'And in the act of being baptized his invocation of Jesus as Lord would declare the dominant power in his life henceforth." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (p. 418)

Day 183: Acts 21:18-36

“On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” - Acts 21:18-19 ESV

As he promised, Paul finds his way to Jerusalem. The experience starts with a strong report of what God had been doing among the nations (Gentiles). This positive report will be interrupted by a concern for the "zealous for the Law" Christians in the city. Things won't end well.

Until then, let's focus on the language Paul uses to describe what was happening among the non-Israelites.

First of all, he itemizes what God had done (one by one). Each story mattered because they represented individuals that Jesus deeply loved. The church is composed of many individual souls with stories.

Second, it wasn't Paul's ministry that was proprietary. We won't be able to do things exactly the way he did throughout the first-century Mediterranean world, but we do worship the same God that worked through their efforts. This means we can be assured that a hopeful movement is still possible in Jesus' name today.

Do you have at least one person you're actively praying for to receive Christ as their Savior? If so, look for the windows God is providing to share the gospel.

God, help us reach one soul at a time, and please do what only You can do (as You have done) in our point of history. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

"It was a noble account to render. Since he had saluted the Church (ch. 18:22), when he had probably seen James last, he had laboured at Antioch, in Galatia and Phrygia, and had wrought a mighty revolution in Asia. He had consolidated his work in Macedonia and Achaia; he had held his visitation of Gentile elders in Miletus; he had visited Tyre, Ptolemais, and Cæsarea, great Gentile cities, and had seen everywhere astonishing tokens of the grace of God which was with him. And now he pours his tale into the ears of the chief pastor of the mother Church of Jerusalem, and those of the Jewish elders. A tale of wonder indeed!" - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 2, pp. 172–173)

Day 182: Acts 21:1-17

“Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, ‘Let the will of the Lord be done.’” - Acts 21:13-14 ESV

What is it with us and our aversion to pain? For most of us, safety for ourselves and our families is our top priority. It is understandable. Why would we willingly walk into a situation that we know will bring harm to us?

This is what was confusing to all of the prophets among the Christians in every city Paul visited. The Holy Spirit was saying the same thing, "Pain awaits Paul in Jerusalem!" It is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit didn't say that Paul shouldn't go into the city; He only said that opposition awaited him.

How about us? Do we sometimes discourage someone from doing something difficult, maybe even painful, even if it's the right thing to do?

Since we have the advantage of hindsight, we can now see that this would be the beginning of Paul's most significant opportunity for influence throughout the Roman Empire. More letters would be written (think New Testament). More rulers would be engaged. He would journey toward the largest platform in the known world: Rome itself.

All because he was willing to face opposition in Jerusalem.

What pain are we currently avoiding that could lead to greater influence on those who have yet to confess Jesus?

The grief displayed by Paul’s friends had the effect of pounding at his heart as they attempted to dissuade him. But for himself Paul was quite prepared not merely for what was prophesied but also for possible death at Jerusalem. It was not that there was any virtue in such sufferings for their own sake, but only if they were accomplished on behalf of the name of Jesus, i.e. as a necessary part of Christian service." - Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts. (Vol. 5, p. 360)

Day 182: Luke 21:1-28

"For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” - Luke 21:4 ESV

Have you ever wondered what kind of generosity impresses God? I think when we are younger, it is something we dismiss as irrelevant. We say things like, "I only make 72 dollars a week. Can my $7.20 really make a difference to the church?"

Jesus shows us that it isn't about the amount we can drop into a plate or donate online.

Psalm 24:1 sings that the "earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." So, when we give, we aren't handing God something that He doesn't already own. This woman wasn't giving to please, pacify, or manipulate God; she gave as an act of surrendering worship.

The challenge for us today isn't to focus on the number we're giving but to instead take a long look at our hearts as we give. The percentage usually tells the story. Have you decided what percentage you believe God wants you to give to your local Church and other faithful Christian nonprofits?

The Apostle Paul saw this as vital to the act of generosity:  "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

I dare say that some of the happiest people I know are the most generous. Money doesn't control them. They would much rather worship the One who owns it all.

"The mite (λεπτόν) was the smallest current coin. Two of these little pieces were the smallest legal offerings which could be dropped into the 'trumpet.' But this sum, as the Heart-reader, who knew all things, tells us (ver. 4), was every particle of money she had in the world; and it was this splendid generosity on the part of the poor solitary widow which won the Lord’s praise, which has touched the hearts of so many generations since, which has stirred up in so many hearts an admiration of an act so strangely beautiful, but well-nigh inimitable." - Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). St. Luke (Vol. 2, pp. 182–183)

Day 181: Acts 20:1-37

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 ESV

This encouragement that Paul gives to the Ephesian elders gets me every time. When you put great care into any group of people, whether that's teaching kids at church or coaching a little league team, your heart remains with them for quite some time. We want to think that the investments we've made will produce fruit for future generations.

Paul can see that there was great spiritual warfare taking place in Ephesus. Their church was started in the midst of an insane book/scroll burning (see Acts 19:21-40). This wasn't an easy place to be a Christian, and the same is true to this day (there is no known Christian church in Ephesus today).

Leadership will always start first with us. We cannot expect to lead anyone anywhere without first being affected by God's grace. Then we have to turn our eyes toward those we are attempting to lead. How much quality time have we spent with them? People don't select leadership in the church like we select a president. The Holy Spirit selects them, and we merely identify them.

How do we know Jesus cares for the church? His blood is all the proof we need, and it continues to power His people day in and day out to do the work He initiated in the first century. May we all be the leaders God has called us to be, and may we be in prayer for our elders, asking God to give them wisdom and strength.

"Their responsibility was the greater in that the flock which they were commissioned to tend was no other than the church of God which he had purchased for himself (an echo here of Old Testament language)—and the purchase price was nothing less than the life-blood of his beloved Son." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (pp. 392–393)

Day 180: Acts 19:13-41

“But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?’” - Acts 19:15 ESV

Seven Jewish sons of a man named Sceva tried to use the name of Jesus like you use an air compressor or a hair straightener, but their plan backfired. The demon immediately recognized them as frauds, and they lost their clothes and some of their blood in the process.

We cannot use Jesus as another product that gives us benefits toward what we want. God desires a relationship with us through Jesus. The following quote hammers this idea home:

“God reveals himself in personal relationship and only in personal relationship. God is not a phenomenon to be considered. God is not a force to be used. God is not a proposition to be argued. There is nothing in or of God that is impersonal, nothing abstract, nothing imposed.” - Eugene Peterson

Do we want to use Jesus, or do we want Jesus to use us?

Do we want to worship our own desires, or do we want to worship Jesus and submit to his desires?

This has the potential to radically change how we pray, how we read the Bible, and how we attempt to help those in need around us. May we be those who come to worship Jesus and not those who waste the opportunity by angling for wish-fulfillment or our own selfish desires.

Jesus, we trust that your way is best above all others.

Day 179: Acts 18:23-28, 19:1-12

“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” - Acts 18:26 ESV

Misdirected boldness isn't something that should intimidate us. I think we many times see those who are talented and unafraid as threats. The best thing we can do as we encounter these gifted individuals is to engage them in conversation.

This is exactly what our power couple does. Aquila and Priscilla didn't dismiss or shame Apollos. Instead, they "took him aside" and clarified what he was attempting to communicate.

Now, this could have gone poorly if Apollos wasn't teachable, but thankfully that was not the case. Pride often keeps the talented stunted when it comes to spiritual maturity. Because of his humility, Apollos was positioning himself to become a major player in expanding Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Here we see another African playing a significant role in God's kingdom (see our previous post about the Ethiopian).

Does just the idea of engaging someone like Apollos make you feel uncomfortable? Don't be intimidated by strong people. Instead, think if all they'll do for Jesus' Kingdom once you help them onto the right path.

Are you ready to learn and grow like he was? The teachable spirit of Apollos needs to be found within all of us.

"He knew of the task Jesus gave men and women to do, but he did not yet fully know of the help Jesus gave them to do it. Aquila and Priscilla gave him fuller and more accurate instruction. The result was that Apollos, who already knew Jesus as a figure in history, came also to know him as a living presence; and his power as a preacher must have been increased dramatically." - Barclay, W. (2003). The Acts of the Apostles (3rd ed, p. 163)

Day 178: Acts 18:1-22

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.’” - Acts 18:9-10 ESV

A pattern that occurs over and over in the Bible is this:

• God calls someone.

• That someone responds in faithful obedience.

• God supplies that someone with all they need to accomplish their call.

Paul ends up in Corinth and is immediately supplied with what he needed. He needed finances, and he needed partners for ministry. God gave them both directly in the form of a power couple named Aquila and Priscilla. The word tentmaker is literally leatherworker in Greek. They were good at what they did, and as God had designed, were forced to flee Rome at the exact time Paul ended up in Corinth.

What ends up happening in many cases is that we let fear keep us from recognizing what God is doing. Jesus knew that this would be a temptation for Paul, and so Jesus Himself affirms the purpose of his presence there.

Do you think Jesus has more of his people around you than you realize? Don't let fear keep you from seeing them.

"He had come to Corinth full of misgivings—“in much fear and trembling,” he says himself (1 Cor. 2:3)—but he should abandon all fear and go on proclaiming the gospel boldly. He would reap an abundant harvest by so doing, for the Lord had many in Corinth who were marked out by him as his own people." - Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts (pp. 350–351)