Good morning! Today we will finish up our reading in Acts 21, where Paul had been ceased by the Roman regiment due to false accusations against him. Yet, Paul who was articulant in speech and bold for Christ did not allow the arrest to limit him – he never remained silent. Join me as we continue our reading in Acts. Enjoy your day – remember your life matters to God.

Bible Verse – Acts 21:37-40 NLT

“³⁷ As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?”

“Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised. ³⁸ “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?”

³⁹ “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.” ⁴⁰ The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.[g]”

Reflection

While I hate to leave you in suspense of what Paul states to the crowd in Acts 22, I will… However, it is only to bring us to focus on verses 37-40.

• Paul had been beaten – nearly to death. Verse 31 read, “As they were trying to kill him.”

• It was clear the commander of the Roman army did not know Paul.

• Paul used his birth right or status as a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus to calm the commanders opinion of him, which lead to an opportunity for Paul to address the crowd.

Sisters and brothers, here Paul was nearly beaten to death, but even after his rescue/arrest by the commander of the Roman regiment he still desired to address the crowd that attempted to kill him. Paul definitely had more heart in that situation than I think I would have had. That is why, Paul is our Biblical example of one who follows Christ regardless of the season.

Paul knew his birth right as a citizen of Rome and as a Jew gave him more privileges than the average person. He used his privileges for good and as needed to further the Good News of Jesus Christ, to reach people in places where non-citizens were not allowed to speak, and to explain to Jews his understanding of the Mosaic Law and the freedom they had in Christ Jesus.

For those who believe in Christ Jesus, we have all been given an eternal promise and inheritance that last forever.

• Colossians 1:12-14 reminds us that:“May you be filled with joy,[c]¹² always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins.“

• Ephesians 2:12-13; 18 reminds us that:¹² In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. ¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ... ¹⁸ Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Sisters and brothers, no matter what you are facing today and in the weeks to come, remember the One who sits on the throne, the one who ensured an eternal inheritance for you, who brought you into the family of believers and reconciled you back to God. So, use your God-given place in the family of believers for good – to bring glory to God.

Sisters and brothers, use what you have been given to expand the Good News.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for who you are and for your endless mercy and grace toward us. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ who gave his life so that we can be reconciled to God. We praise you and thank you for rescuing us from the kingdom of darkness. Thank you for our salvation, hope and unity because of Christ Jesus. Help us to always remember our inheritance in You – for making us new in Christ Jesus. Lord, strip away the old things within us that do not bring you glory. Touch us and change us so that people will see you working on the inside of us. Lord, lead the way. Be with us this  season and comfort those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Lord, will you touch their hearts and minds right now and bring them the peace and reassurance of your love – in the name of Jesus. Lord, bless our nation – heal and protect all the people from spiritual and mental battles that pull them away from you. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

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