pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Trust Always

Reading: Acts 21-23

Acts 21:13 – “I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (and eventually to Rome) begins in our reading for today. Working his way towards Jerusalem, Paul encounters a prophet, Agabus, in Caesarea. He prophesies that Paul will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles (the Romans.) In response, Paul declares, “I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” His resolve is set. In this, Paul reminds me of Jesus as he “set his face like flint” as he made the final trip to Jerusalem. His trust is in God. Paul is absolutely focused on his one mission: to witness to all about Jesus his Lord.

Arriving in Jerusalem, Paul gives a detailed report of God’s activity amongst the Gentiles. James and the elders warn him of the rumors about Paul rejecting Moses and the Law. While undergoing a purification ritual to demonstrate his devotion to Judaism, Paul is seized, accused, and drug out of the temple. The commotion draws the attention of a nearby Roman commander, who rescues Paul. Unable to ascertain the cause of the unrest, Paul is taken to military headquarters, where he asks to address the people.

Permission granted, Paul gives his history – born a Jew, taught as a Pharisee, harasser of the followers of Jesus. He tells of his Damascus Road experience and his conversion. As he tells of the Jews rejection and being sent to the Gentiles, the crowd erupts in anger. To learn the truth, the commander orders Paul “questioned under the whip.” It is then that Paul reveals he is a Roman citizen by birth. The commander orders an assembly of the Jewish leaders.

Paul wisely divides the Pharisees and Sadducees along theological lines. After being removed from this dangerous situation, Jesus tells Paul that he will ultimately testify in Rome. A treasonous plot is foiled and Paul is brought to Governor Felix. Learning that Paul is from Cilicia, he will hear Paul’s case. This trial will unfold tomorrow as the Jewish leaders arrive in Caesarea.

Prayer: Lord God, no matter the crowd, no matter the threat, no matter the audience, Paul trusts always in you. Filled with your presence and power, Paul always trusts into your plans and into your purposes for his life. Lord, fill us with that same power and presence, making us ever ready to trust in you with all that we are and with all that we have. May it be so – all for the glory of your kingdom! Amen.


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Who and What?

Reading: Matthew 22: 15-22

Verse 20: “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription”?

As the end of Jesus’ ministry draws to a close, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders has escalated. Early in the final week of his life the Pharisees send some folks to test Jesus, to try and trap him. Even when they are flattering Jesus to soften him up, their words have truth in them. The words of these envoys belie their dilemma. Jesus is a man of integrity – so why are they trying to trap him? Jesus is one who teaches the truth – so why begin with words that are not believed by the ones that sent them? Jesus is not swayed by men – so why try to trap him with a political and religious question? Because Jesus is all of these things, to find or catch him sinning is not possible. So the religious leaders distress to trickery.

After calling out the hypocrisy, Jesus asks for a coin to use in his answer to their question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not”? A “yes” would anger many Jews. They resent the Romans and their oppressive taxes. A “no” would be seen as treason by the Romans. Jesus chooses a better answer than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. After receiving a denarius, he asks the questions, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription”? Before going on to hear Jesus’ answer to the original question (that is for Sunday), let us apply these questions to ourselves.

If our lives were held up for all to see and examine, what would be the answer to the question of whose image we bear? This question gets at the root or core of who we really are. When others look at us, do they see the image of Jesus Christ? Do they see one who has integrity, who speaks truth, who is not swayed by the things of the world? Or do they see one who is willing to be a little immoral at times, one who will occasionally bend the truth, one who sometimes does chase after the things of the world, or one who does all three?

Who and what we are matters. It matters to God and it matters to the witness that we have to the world. Who we are, and, more importantly, whose we are really are great things to consider. May our reflection today upon these questions lead us closer to living in the image of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord of all people and of all the earth, in each of my words, in each of my actions, in each of my thoughts, may I bring you the glory. May all that is selfish and prideful and sinful be laid aside in the pursuit of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.