July 1st

By Randall L. Broad

Read: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8

In the Book of Acts today, we pick up the story of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. He is warned repeatedly not to go and it is clear from earlier readings that he fully understood what was to happen to him there.

 ³ But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Paul was bound to the Lord Jesus in the same manner as Moses was bound to Yahweh who shaped him as a son of Egypt, spoke to him on the mountain, and sent him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Moses received his revelation directly from God and that is well documented in the Old Testament (c.f. Ex. 3:1-16). In the New Testament, Paul received a similar experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). Though the New Testament does not go into detail about the specific revelation of Jesus’ life and ministry to Paul, we assume it was through the encounter with Jesus that day on the road to Damascus.

In the example of these two great men we see how God reaches out to all of us. While it is safe to presume some of what Paul learned about Jesus came from Ananias (Acts 9:10-17) and the Apostles (Acts 9:26; Galatians 1:17-18) who Paul spent time with, much of the origin of his theology was rooted in his teachings as a Pharisee, the discernment given him by the Holy Spirit (c.f. Acts 13:9), and the experiences of walking in God’s will for his life.

Today our own relationship with God follows a very similar pattern. We all have a past that contains experiences and trials that have shaped us. We have all experienced (… or will experience) a moment in time or event where we surrendered to Jesus and embraced a new life. And we have all been given a purpose to walk in God’s will for our lives and become disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   

In today’s reading where Paul is aware of what will happen in Jerusalem, the scripture acknowledges prophetic warnings, but there is also woven into the story the same underlying discernment that Jesus had when he went to Jerusalem against the cries of his disciples. Moses had it. Jesus mastered it. Paul had it … and we can have it too. It is the profound sense of purpose and fulfillment that we are walking in God’s will and there is really no other choice for us.

For the Christian, it is rooted in our faith in Jesus and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

I earnestly pray everyone who reads this understands that calling in their life and you will go boldly forward as Paul did … despite the cost of your discipleship.

Walk with the Lord …

Ephesians 1:17

(RLB230701)

© Copyright 2013: Randall L. Broad

Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.