Monday, September 4, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Acts 28:17–31

Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor — even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, ‘Go to this people and say, You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn — and I would heal them.’ Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (NRSV)

Reflection
The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the beginnings of the Church and the spreading of the Gospel. It begins with Jesus’ ascension into heaven and the coming of the promised Holy Spirit. And it ends…with house arrest. Perhaps not quite the ending the Apostles imagined when their hearts and minds were being filled with that fiery Pentecostal spirit. For chapters, we follow the breathless pace of Paul as he travels the Mediterranean spreading the Good News. And one wonders why he didn’t just give up.

Almost immediately, Paul is beaten, arrested, flogged, and imprisoned. Still, he preaches Good News. Two years later he is put on a boat. Overtaken by a storm, the boat runs aground. Still, he preaches Good News. Marooned on Malta, Paul is bitten by a venomous snake. Still, he preaches Good News. Now, in Rome — the epicenter of the Empire — Paul has a soldier guarding him and is facing trial and execution. Still, he preaches Good News.

Arrests. Shipwrecks. Snake Bites. Still, he preaches Good News. One might think that the author of the Acts of the Apostles is hoping we will see Paul’s strength and tenacity. The author ends the book while Paul is still preaching even while he lives under lock and key. While Paul’s courage is inspiring, perhaps the author’s main concern is not about the unstoppable Apostle Paul, but the unstoppable Good News. No obstacle — no shipwreck, snake, or fear of death — could hinder news of God’s salvation from reaching the heart of the Roman Empire and the hearts of those who dwelled there. God is unstoppable. The Good News of Christ’s love is infectious, and nothing can get in its way.

God is not asking us to board a sinking ship or wrestle with poisonous snakes. God is calling us to join in spreading the Good News to the ends of the earth. God’s love is unstoppable. And when we embrace it, when we join in that work, our church, ministry, and reach will be unstoppable too.

Prayer
O God, your unstoppable love has captured me. Thank you. Give me the courage and excitement to share your love to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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