Monday, July 13, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Acts 9:19b–31
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (NRSV)

Reflection
A prevailing theme of Paul’s letters in the Bible is that of community. He encourages those to whom he writes to understand that they are joined with all other followers of Christ even though they may have different backgrounds and practices. He reminds believers that it is God’s love and understanding of people that matters much more than their own perceptions. This wasn’t merely an abstract truth for Paul. It was a part of his own struggle to serve Jesus as an apostle. Paul was born as Saul of Tarsus and was a major persecutor of early Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.

This passage reveals that after Saul’s conversion, he became a devout follower of Christ and immediately began preaching. Those who had known him as persecutor feared him, while his former community of Jewish leaders and Romans plotted against him. Saul would have been an easy person to discredit or write off, but amazing things were accomplished through his witness. Many were persuaded to believe after encountering his profound transformation.

In our lives, we are tempted to dismiss those who disagree with us and especially those whose convictions may be harmful to us. To us they may seem like a lost cause. But God is never done with these people just as God is never done with us. And sometimes God transforms their hearts and accomplishes amazing work through them. Sometimes the one who is transformed and then serves God in amazing ways is us. Let us be thankful, then, that God’s community is larger than we might choose it to be.

Prayer
All-embracing God, we give you thanks that you have included us in your holy community. And we give you thanks that you have included others whom we would sooner dismiss. Transform us all, and help us to do your good and holy work in this world. Amen.

Written by Layton Williams, Pastoral Resident

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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