Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 5: The Trip to Rome

Day 80 – The Trip to Rome – Acts 25:1-28:31

This is a second day in a row with a long reading.  Paul returned to Jerusalem after his third journey.  The Jews accuse him of blasphemy, specifically bringing a Gentile into an inner court of the temple.  This is punishable by death.  Appealing to his Roman citizenship he receives protection, in the form of house arrest, from the Roman governor.

The reading picks up in his dealings with a second governor Felix.  The governors are more interested in bribery. Therefore, Paul is not released but never charged with a crime.  Paul finally appeals for a trial in Rome, before the emperor.  This is his right, and also coincides with fulfilling God’s plan for him to reach Rome.

The trip to Rome is full of wild adventures.  I often wonder why a movie has never covered his trip.

Paul finally reaches Rome, still awaiting trial.  It is thought that he was found innocent, but then was caught up in a local persecution led by Nero and executed a few years later.

One theme of this section and in fact throughout Luke’s two volumes is the general legal innocence of Jesus and Paul in relation to Rome.  Various officials always proclaim their innocence, although at times, still allowing punishment, or even death, in the case of Jesus, to occur.  Luke was clearly writing to prove that the Roman government should not fear followers of Jesus.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 4: More Missionary Journeys

Day 79 – More Missionary Journeys – Acts 16:1-20:38

We haven’t had an Old Testament length reading in quite some time! 

This long passage covers Paul’s second (vv 16:1-18:22) and third (vv 18:23-20:38) missionary journeys.  The second journey was roughly three years and the third journey about four years.  Both trips traveled around the Turkish and Greek shoreline of the Aegean Sea.  Both trips also focused on one particular city.  Paul spent about 1 ½ years in Corinth on the second trip and three years in Ephesus on the third journey. 

There is so much here that we can not even begin to discuss in one quick read.  I would recommend reading straight through.  Follow Paul’s adventures as he encounters Jews and Greeks of many different types.  What event particularly interests you and why?

In Christ,

Randy

Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 3: The Council @ Jerusalem

Day 78 – The Council @ Jerusalem – Acts 15:1-41

Who is in? Who is out?  This is a question which always seems to be of great interest within the church over the last two thousand years.  Where is the fence, so to speak?

Who are the people of God?  Who is the church?  Who is the church for?

The Jews had their answer, based on what had been the common interpretation of their scripture (our Old Testament), to this point.  Now the early followers of Jesus, who also saw themselves as good Jews, must make a decision: Must Gentile followers of Jesus, first declare faith in Jesus, almost as a transition stage, then follow Jewish law as well.  This would include circumcision as well as other aspects of law.  These additional actions would certainly raise a deterrent to becoming part of the “in group”.  Is this interpretation truly the gospel of Jesus?  The meeting in Jerusalem faces important issues.

A final decision is reached after much discussion, one can assume prayer, and interpretation of scripture.   A compromise solution is presented by James, the brother of Jesus.  The solution is then written in a letter.  I love the wording: For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”  (Acts 15:28-29)

Obviously this meets with wild acclaim from the Gentile converts.  Over time even the food issues are generally eliminated.  But the issue is not settled for some time. The idea of belief in Jesus as a mere transition to “true” Judaism will continue as a challenge for many years.

The underlying issue is still with us today.  Is there a bare minimum?  What do we confuse as cultural behaviors which have no true faith meaning?  Who is the judge? 

In Christ,

Randy

Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 2: The First Missionary Journey

Day 77 – The First Missionary Journey – Acts 13:1-14:26

I must admit I find this an odd choice for the top 100 scripture passages, as I will with a few other selections this week.

Anyway, Paul and Barnabas encounter a wide range of reactions as they travel through Cyprus and what is today central Turkey.  Peter starts with the synagogue of a town then move outward to the Gentiles.  He is more successful with the Gentiles, which will lead to tomorrow’s great debate back in Jerusalem.

It is useful to know a little about the pagan religions of the day.  We normally associate religion and morals.  However, the pagan religions of Paul’s day did not have this connection.  The Greco-Roman religion was concerned with placating the gods with sacrifices.  Not enough worship and the gods could lift their protection.  People also worshiped to receive gain love, money, or whatever they desire.  Living a moral life did not come into play at all.  Judaism had a different view on this connection, which is of course taken up by the followers of Jesus.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 1: The Road to Damascus

Day 76 – The Road to Damascus – Acts 9:1-31

Other than Pentecost, this may be the best known event in Acts.  Saul, a leading persecutor of the disciples, meets Jesus along the road.  As is the case over and over, Jesus takes the initiative in the encounter.  The last thing on Saul’s mind is following Jesus.

The encounter reminds us that we follow a living Lord and Savior.  We do not follow a religion.

In Saul’s conversion we also see a changed life: even a new name in this case!  We need to be wary when conversion does not entail change.  Now the change can be fast, as in the case of Paul, or it can be slow.  But some movement in a new direction is a sign of the Holy Spirit working within us.

Finally we see that Jesus’ call involves us in his plans.  It is not typically as exciting as Paul’s future, but in some manner, when we are chosen, we are chosen to participate, not spectate (not a word – but the meaning is clear).

Think about your own encounter with the living Lord.  What has changed?  What is Jesus calling you to do?

I took Easter off, so apologies for the lateness of this post..

In Christ,

Randy

Week 15 (The Church is Born) – Day 5: Good News for All

Day 75 – Good News for All – Acts 10:1-11:18

One of the main issues which Acts covers is the spread of God’s covenantal promises beyond just the Jews.  The issue of whether Gentiles are included in the promises revealed by Jesus was a major issue facing the early believers.  Another aspect of the issue is how they are included.  These questions were not resolved for many years.  The issue was even more important, because until the end of the first century, followers of Jesus considered themselves to be within the Jewish community.  So, this issue of Gentile inclusion was even fraught with more meaning than we may think.

Cornelius, the Roman army officer and Peter are brought together by the Holy Spirit.  This news is not initially received with rejoicing: “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” (v 11:3)  After Peter describes the events, the acceptance is given at this point, at least: When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.” (v 11:18)

We will have at least one more reading which will show that the matter is not settled this simply.

As you read this event, who may you consider outside the hope of God’s covenant revealed through Jesus?

In Christ,

Randy

Week 15 (The Church is Born) – Day 4: Sharing the Word

Day 74 – Sharing the Word – Acts 8:26-40

This little story has several interesting points.  Notice how scripture and the Spirit both work together in leading the eunuch to follow Jesus. 

Also notice that the eunuch recognized that study of scripture on our own has limits.  “Do you understand what you are reading?” He [the eunuch] replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (vv 30-31)  Personal study along with communal study is preferable.  Certainly I would note that while this study has been useful, the lack of true interaction has placed some limits on the study.

So the eunuch is baptized.  One, who due to race and physical issue (eunuchs are specified as outside the covenant, in Jewish law), could never enjoy full community, now can due to Jesus.  What is a false restriction to your own relationship with Jesus?

In Christ,

Randy

Week 15 (The Church is Born) – Day 3: The First Martyr

Day 73 – The First Martyr – Acts 6:8-8:8

Stephen is the first martyr.  The word actually means “witness”, so from the start of the church there is a sense that the ultimate witness is to give one’s life for Christ.

Notice how Stephen knows the Hebrew scripture.  This is a great example of why it is important for us to know scripture as well.  How can we speak of God’s story if we do not know the story? 

Saul, later known as Paul is also introduced at this point.  If his life can be transformed, how much can God transform our own life as well?

In Christ,

Randy

Week 15 (The Church is Born) – Day 2: Growth & Persecution

Day 72 – Growth & Persecution – Acts 3:1-4:37

The rest of the Book of Acts is not known as well, but is very useful for us.

We follow Peter and John as they heal a man through the power of Jesus.  They also preach about Jesus, to great effect.  They are arrested and are then released.  The power of the Holy Spirit is obviously at work in their lives. 

We also read another summary about the early church. (vv 4:32-37)  The Holy Spirit is also leading the entire faith community.

We can be bold like Peter and John, as the Holy Spirit is within us as well!

In Christ,

Randy

Week 15 (The Church is Born) – Day 1: The Day of Pentecost

Day 71 – The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-47

Four major readings in a row!  Today’s reading covers Pentecost, also known as the birthday of the Church.  Fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, and ten after his ascension, the promised gift is delivered.  And it is a Who: the Holy Spirit.  This same Spirit lives within us, transforming us.

The first part is probably the most familiar to us, preached upon many times. Peter’s speech is commented upon less often.  Peter denied Jesus three times a few months before this day.  Now he is preaching about Jesus and some three thousand repent and follow Jesus.  This is due to the Holy Spirit working within him.  When Jesus calls upon us, his Spirit will give us the strength we need.  Remember this as you discern God’s will for your life.

We also see an overlooked summation of discipleship in the early church.  It is clear that repentance and discipleship are not a one day event in our own lives but are an ongoing work of the Spirit within us and among the community of faith.  When Jesus spoke of repentance the verb has an ongoing, active flavor to it. 

I think it is always good to measure our own community against the marks of the community of believers as listed here (vv 42-47) How well do we do?

Finally notice the communal aspect of all events here.  These are not private spiritual feelings, but occur within the community of believers, with measurable effects upon everyone involved.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 14 (The Cross of Christ) – Day 5: The Ascension

Day 70 – The Ascension – Acts 1:1-11

The third great event in Jesus’ last physical appearances on earth is the Ascension.  For several reasons, this event, which is incredibly important, is ignored by many.  When I preached on the Ascension last year, people came up and said that they had gone to church their entire life and never heard a sermon on the Ascension.  Amazing, but not surprising.

I think the two main issues are this: 1) Liturgically the event always falls on a Thursday.  Most Protestant churches in particular, rarely have a special service to mark the event.  And most then choose to ignore it on the following Sunday, when a service could also focus on it.  2)  Our modern minds have trouble wrapping ourselves around an event in which someone floats off into the sky.

Luke thought the Ascension was so important that he describes it twice, once at the end of the gospel he wrote, and then again at the beginning of Acts.  I think we need to recapture this same importance for our lives today.

This is actually one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture (which is why I wanted to write on a fresh brain, rather than my very tired state last night).  One aspect overlooked by many is that we worship a fully alive Jesus.  Yes his Spirit is with us, and in fact the passage focuses on this promise.  But we also worship a living Jesus who has a resurrected physical body, who resides in heaven and is praying for the universe at every moment.  This is a powerful truth that we ignore as we go about our life.  When we see Jesus, we will know that we too will have our own resurrected body as well.  The promise has already been fulfilled for one, so we can be confidant of a resurrection which will let us life in wholeness forever.

This is enough, although there is so much more here!

In Christ,

Randy

Week 14 (The Cross of Christ) – Day 4: The Resurrection

Day 69 – The Resurrection – John 20:1-21:25

Paul writes in his great chapter on resurrection: “…if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Cor 15:14)

The Father’s response to his Son’s action on the cross is revealed a few days later.  The Father has raised Jesus.  The tomb is empty, and over the next forty days, Jesus will meet with his disciples.

All three events: Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension work together as the pivot of history which gives us assurance that God’s promises will be fulfilled.  We can enjoy eternal life, and creation will be fixed, in fact be better than it even was at the beginning.

I do want to note one issue which is vitally important and in fact makes God’s promises vastly different than any other world view.  As revealed in Jesus’ resurrection, our ultimate eternal life will include complete life with some aspect of physicality.  Not as we know it (read 1 Cor 15 for Paul’s writing on this issue, along with Jesus’ resurrection appearances) but much more than a mere wispy soul ghost.  This ghost soul view was prevalent in the Greco-Roman world and oddly enough has become mainstream thought in our culture today.  Certainly we will have a second transitory period of our life with just our soul alive in heaven. But resurrection is much more, and at some point, as described in Revelation, heaven returns to earth.  Eternity stretches out after that great event.

I say this because for some, discipleship can become a personal spiritual pursuit with little effort to concern oneself with the here and now of life.  Resurrection puts a deeper, fuller meaning on eternal life.  The empty tomb is a reminder that resurrection is more than we often think.  Because of this vacant, really vacated, tomb, we can all be certain that resurrection awaits us as well. 

In the words of Eugene Peterson, who I can not recommend enough, Practice Resurrection now!  As we see when Thomas touches Jesus' wounds, how we live in the here and now will reverberate out into eternity. 

In Christ,

Randy

Week 14 (The Cross of Christ) – Day 3: The Crucifixion

Day 68 – The Crucifixion – John 19:1-42

The powers of evil think they have won.  Religious authorities who embrace religion but not following God, team up with the representative of military and economic security to kill Jesus.  As Jesus cries out “It is finished” (v 30), the killers think they have won.  Death continues to reign.

But Jesus words point toward a alternate plan fulfilled.  Jesus’ life was building to this very moment of self sacrificial love.  God’s plan is obediently completed by his Son.

Through Jesus’ death it is possible for our adoption as children of God.  Just as the lamb blood marked God’s people at the Passover, we are marked by Jesus’ blood as God’s children. 

In Christ,

Randy

Week 14 (The Cross of Christ) – Day 2: Arrest & Trial

Day 67 – Arrest & Trial – John 18:1-40

Today’s reading is a little odd.  It cuts off right in the middle of Jesus’ trial. 

I would just note that John’s version of the events shows a less vulnerable Jesus that what the other gospels detail.  For what it is worth I prefer the telling in them better than John.  But that is my personal preference.  May be worth a look to see what I mean.

Tomorrow continues the story.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 14 (The Cross of Christ) – Day 1: The Last Supper

Day 66 – The Last Supper – Luke 22:1-46

This week we will cover the most important events in history, to our time.  I don’t plan on commenting much. These passages speak for themselves. 

I am amazed at Jesus on the night before his death.  He not only must deal with what is ahead in the next eighteen hours, but also sees that his disciples, even after three years of personal teaching, are not ready.  The disciples display their unreadiness in many ways:  Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, an argument over who is in charge and sleeping in the garden.

Yet, Jesus, even in what is arguably the worst night a human ever experienced, makes great promises to us.  Jesus gives us the Lord’s Supper, a promise to the disciples that they will eat with him in the coming kingdom, and prays for them.

We too, fail Jesus every day, yet we receive these same promises from Jesus, every day.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 13 (The Miracles of Jesus) – Day 5: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

Day 65 – Raising Lazarus from the Dead – John 11:1-57

Jesus conquers the final power of the world: death.  Paul notes The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Cor 15:26) 

Jesus clearly identifies himself as God: I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  (vv 25 – 26)  This is a great promise made that day and to us as well.

As with the past miracles, not all see this as good news.  Returning Lazarus to life is the final straw for the Jewish authorities.  The messiah is too risky for those in charge.  The Roman overseers will not put up with any disturbance and the Jewish leaders fear that people will be excited that God’ reign is here.  So from that day on they planned to put him to death.  (v 53) 

Worldly powers are never happy to hear the good news of Jesus.  John sums it up this way: Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him.  (John 12:37)

In Christ,

Randy

Week 13 (The Miracles of Jesus) – Day 4: Healing a Demon-Possessed Man

Day 64 – Healing a Demon-Possessed Man – Mark 5:1-20

Jesus shows the kingdom of God also has sway over Satan and the power of evil.  Jesus brings healing to a man who has been left to the land of death. 

Imagine the people who show up to confirm the reports of the pig herders.  The people can not believe what they see.  In fact they are distraught.  We may be surprised, but how often do we react the same way to God’s working in the world? 

For the locals, their economy has taken a major hit.  Not only is the possessed man back to “normal”, but two thousand stinking pig carcasses are floating in the water.  Keeping Jesus around is too expensive for the world they know.  So the people beg Jesus to leave. (v 17)  It is very tempting to fear the good news of life through Jesus, to stay comfortable in the supposed security of the ways of the powers of this world.

The story also shows that God’s kingdom is more powerful than the political rule of the Romans.  The term used for the demons is legion, which happens to be the match the name of the military units used by Rome to control its empire.  Demonic possession is linked together with the repressive rule of Rome.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 13 (The Miracles Of Jesus) – Day 3: Healing a Blind Man

Day 63 – Healing a Blind Man – John 9:1-41

Jesus shows the kingdom has sway over physical healing.  Jesus views this type of healing as a sign that he also has sway over sin as well.

In particular this story shows the two types of reactions to God’s kingdom.  We see the movement of the cured blind man through not knowing who cured him to declaring Jesus as Lord. (v 38)  See that his journey is not smooth and is fraught with danger.

On the other hand, the religious authorities, who should have welcomed the kingdom, do not.  Instead, they carp over rules broken or placing sin on others.

Let us revel in the joy of God’s kingdom.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 13 (The Miracles Of Jesus) – Day 2: Walking on Water

Day 62 – Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22-36

Miracles are all about showing that the kingdom of God is near.  Yesterday, Jesus shattered the myth of scarcity.  People may starve in this broken world but abundance will be the watchword of the kingdom.

Likewise today, Jesus shows he is master over nature:  And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Creation itself will be healed in the kingdom.

Now what about Peter?  Interpreters have gone all over the place with him.  A common approach is to critique his lack of faith after he is walking on the water.  Therefore, we need to keep our faith as we walk out over the “stormy waters of life”.  Maybe, but as one who has walked out over the open water of death, statistically dead years ago, I don’t think we need the extra burden of “not enough” faith placed on those who are in difficult situations.  This can lead people into carrying burdens which they should not carry:  “If only I/he/she had more faith…..”  Unfortunately the kingdom is not completely here yet.  The world still appears to win far too often.

For me, when the people seem ambiguous in a passage, I turn back to what God is doing.  I see Jesus agreeing to Peter’s request to walk with him.  I see Jesus rescue him when the idea does not go so well.  I see Jesus calming the storm.  All good things to remember when our boat is rocking.  Jesus is with us.

In Christ,

Randy

Week 13 (The Miracles Of Jesus) – Day 1: Feeding the Five Thousand

Day 61 – Feeding the Five Thousand – Luke 9:1-36

This entire series of events is focused on one question, which then leads to a follow-up question.  The first question:  Who is Jesus?  The second:  Based in Jesus’ identity, what does it mean to follow Jesus?   

The two questions are interrelated.  Who is Jesus?  Peter answers: the Messiah.  Yet his vision of Jesus as the Anointed One still, and will for some time, carries a belief in the Messiah who will be “successful” by worldly standards. (v 20) Jesus usually self identifies as the Son of Man an apocalyptic figure from the book of Daniel. (v 22)  And finally the Father identifies Jesus as his Son. (v 35) 

While this sounds glorious, the twist comes from Jesus himself.  First he is an unexpected Messiah/Son of Man/Son of God:  one who will die on a cross.  Then he defines the role of those who follow him:  If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. (v 24)

We see what this will mean in the other parts of the chapter, as stories of his disciple’s activities unfold.  Worship and study are not merely for oneself, but to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and the in-breaking kingdom through going out into the world, being a participant in God’s healing and justice.  Discipleship is an ongoing process, in which we slowly give up our own aspirations, and wake up to God’s plans for us.

Far too often we place all kinds of names on Jesus in expectation of grasping blessings we define, rather than receiving the blessings Jesus gives us. 

 

We are becoming who we shall be.  So why not practice resurrection, in this time and place?

In Christ,

Randy