Acts 26:19-32
Dear RTB’ers,
Paul before King Agrippa and Bernice in Caesarea. Four verses stood out for me today.
First, “…that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” (v. 20b) In our world today there are discussions about salvation by grace alone vs. working one’s way to heaven. And often imbedded therein is a sub-topic discussion of works in general. Why do we perform works? What is the purpose behind Christians doing good things? We’re not working our way to heaven; rather, Paul seems to suggest a tit-for-tat. As God has done for us such a great deed as forgiving us and allowing us to have fellowship with Him, in return we need to do the same for others – deeds worthy of our salvation. I like that explanation.
Second, “…that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (v. 23) Left unsaid in Paul’s statement is that Jesus, the Christ, …being the first to rise from the dead…, was, in fact, the first, and that there would be others: us!!
Third, “For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.” (v. 26b) This verse takes me back to the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), where Jesus joined two men who were walking along the road discussing Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection – specifically, … about everything that had happened. (Luke 24:14). When Jesus asked what they were talking about, One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18) That is, as with Paul in the decades following his conversion, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection … had not been done in a corner!
Finally, Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” (v. 24) I have long remembered this verse as “…your great learning is driving you mad.” Back in the early summer of 2003 I was Assistant Treasurer for the Diocese of Lexington (Episcopal) and the Diocesan Convention was just weeks or months away. I was walking with Bishop Stacy Sauls after a meeting at the Cathedral Domain, talking about homosexuality and the upcoming ordination of the gay bishop from New Hampshire. I was citing Scripture to him, arguing against homosexuality in general and this upcoming ordination in particular when he said, “Fred, I can give you dozens of books on this topic in support of homosexuality.” I recall my response, “If it’s that complicated, Stacy, I don’t think it’s from God. Jesus’ message was much simpler than that.” Our conversation continued, but I remember thinking, “Stacy, your great learning is driving you mad!” Sometimes I wonder if my great learning is driving me mad, but my most intense “great learning” has been the Bible, so I don’t dwell on the question!
Blessings!