Week 25 – June 16-22, 2024: Paul: An Unlikely Apostle
This week’s daily readings:
Week 25 - June 16-22, 2024
This week’s devotional:
Paul: An Unlikely Apostle
by The Rev. Justin Elerath
Scripture:
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
— Acts 9:26 (NIV)
Reflection:
In regulated industries a routine part of your work is preparing for and participating in audits. A regulatory body such as the FDA or FAA or many others depending on the industry and geography of that is represented. Usually in preparation for an audit you will receive training particularly if you have never or rarely participated in an audit. To summarize the instructions that are given almost universally, you are to “answer only the question that is asked”, “do not offer information that wasn’t asked”, “be comfortable with silence”, “don’t guess, if you don’t know then admit it”. They teach ways to be truthful without extending the conversation any longer than is necessary. Speed is essential to move onto the next topic, to end the conversation and ultimately get back to our day jobs.
In Acts chapter 7, Stephen was given the opportunity to defend himself to protect his reputation and even his life. The high priest asked him “Are these charges true?” Stephen’s response was hardly a defense of his innocence, he was accused of blasphemy, words against Moses and against God. He was facing accusations from false witnesses. I think the palatable thing would be to deny the accusation and provide no additional information. He was at the Sanhedrin he had a captive audience of Sadducees and Pharisees. The high priest was likely Caiaphas who presided over Jesus’ trial. The allegations against Stephen don’t seem outrageous, there is an element of truth without being fully true. Why oh why didn’t Stephen just answer the question that was asked, assert the truth and hope the conversation would move on? Why would he dig himself deeper by turning the accusation back on his audience?
Being on mission is hard. It can be tempting to be ashamed of the Gospel, because it causes offense. You see there is something on the line. You never know if you are going to compromise your reputation, your livelihood, your freedom or even your life if you speak boldly. But that is what we are called to do: make a bold proclamation of Jesus.
Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin ultimately resulted in his death. Would it have been better if he had been quiet, we don’t know. Not only was Stephen stoned as a result of his testimony, Saul approved of their killing him. When Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus he was calling him to his true purpose, the purpose which God prepared in advance for him to do. This transformation did not come with instant public acceptance, he needed help to develop a new reputation, but God placed people in his life to do that. Paul had a testimony with such obvious life transformation, and he shared it with those who would listen. Are you willing to listen when an unlikely convert is sharing their testimony? Do you doubt God’s current work in someone’s life because of their old life? We can look at new believers with the eyes of God rather than through the lens of self-righteousness. However, we can only do this through the work of the holy spirit.
Prayer:
Almighty God, is there nothing you can’t do? I marvel at the story of Saul/Paul: how you changed him and changed the course of world history! It’s so evident that it was by your power and not Paul’s (despite his wonderful resume) that you spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. I pray that you will work miracles with me, too, Lord. Let me see your glorious light and hear Christ’s voice speaking to me. Send me where you would have me go for the sake of your glory. Amen