December 12 - Acts 20:4-23:35 - Paul Braves Persecution to Set Things Right

Today’s Reading: Acts 20:4-23:35

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Paul wants to keep the peace between himself and the Jews, but they will not allow it.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Paul continued travelling. The Jews continued plotting against him.
Paul met Ephesian elders one last time and charged them to guard their flock. They prayed and cried together.
Agabus prophesied that Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem. Paul held his resolve.
In Jerusalem, Paul purified himself in order to quell dissention; however, he was arrested in the Temple. On trial, Paul told of his conversion and commission to teach the Gentiles. He stirred up controversy by mentioning the resurrection of the dead before the High Council.
Paul's nephew uncovered an assassination plot against Paul. Paul was sent to Felix.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Elders are appointed to both lead the flock and guard against bad influences.

Paul's teary-eyed meeting with the Ephesian elders gives us a moment to look into the purpose for elders. Paul wanted them to continue helping their flock set things right and also to prevent bad influences from creeping in and taking members away. Listen to your elders. Their job is to protect you from influencers that might lead you to (spiritual) death.

Paul's attitude portrayed a person dedicated to setting things right in God's Name.

Paul is being told by his friends and travel partners that if he went to Jerusalem he would be arrested—something that could lead to his death. Paul, though, will not listen to their warnings because to him, "The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience" (21:13, The Message). We, like Paul, should be willing to go through trials and suffering because God might be able to work through us.

Paul wants to keep the peace between Jews and Christians but ultimately fails.

Many people may criticize Paul for attempting the Nazarite vow. They think he is caving in. However, I think Paul is living out his philosophy of being subject to the Law of Moses around Jews and not when around Gentiles in order to save both. The Jews think he is denigrating the Law of Moses, so Paul will show them he still respects the Law by going through with a vow. Unfortunately, the Jews do not allow that to happen and he is arrested anyway.

How can God work through you?

November 4 - Matthew 22; Mark 12: Futile Questions on a Futile Quest to Trap the Son of Man

Today’s Reading: Matthew 22; Mark 12

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jesus shows both the Pharisees and the Sadducees that they miss Scripture by focusing on minute details.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus continued storytelling, "A king opened his banquet to anyone. One improperly-dressed person was removed.
"Vineyard workers beat and killed their master's servants and his son. They were executed and replaced."
Pharisees sprung a trap, "Should we pay taxes to Caesar?"
Jesus responded, "Give to both Caesar and God."
Sadducees questioned marriage at the resurrection.
Jesus responded, "Marriage is not needed then."
Pharisees asked, "What is the greatest commandment?"
"Love the Lord your god with everything and your neighbor as yourself."
"Beware religious scholars who do not set things right."
A poor widow gave more than anyone by giving all.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus splits the middle between Caesar and God.

The question about paying taxes to Caesar was not a softball question. Caesars were considered gods after their deaths and eventually called themselves gods and demanded worship. The Jews had rebelled against Rome in the past (the history is written in the Apocrypha). The question about paying taxes was about contributing to emperor worship or rebelling against Rome. If Jesus had answered "yes" He would have approved of emperor worship. If He answered "no" He would become a revolutionary. The answer the Pharisees got was the answer the least expected, "Respect Caesar as your leader, worship God as your Creator." Respect government officials, but only worship God.

Marriage is unnecessary when we are with God.

Marriage was meant to populate the world and provide a companion. When we are with God, we neither need to populate the Earth nor need companionship. God will be our Companion for eternity.

The greatest commands provide the foundation for every command given by God.

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence." This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: "Love others as well as you love yourself." These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them. (Matthew 22:37-40, The Message)

Every command falls into one of these two areas. The question we should ask when we see any command given by God is does it help love God or love my neighbor? Any command given beyond what is in Scripture should also be based on one of the two.

Jesus shows the futility of trapping Him in a theological quandary by proposing His own.

In this reading, Jesus was faced with three major questions which were futile attempts at trapping Him in theological quicksand. Jesus wanted to show how silly they were in asking these questions by posing His own. The answer is unimportant—it doesn't help people love God or love their neighbor as themselves. However, since the Pharisees cared more for the words of Scripture instead of its meaning, the question could not be answered. They did not understand that some things do not make sense because our rules are man-made, not God-given. Beware deep, theological discussions about minute details in Scripture. They may prevent you from seeing the meaning of the text.

Beware "scholars" who do not set things right.

The religious leaders complained that only "ignorant" people accepted Jesus. "Scholars" knew better than to obey Jesus, even though He did all of the things necessary for them to believe. Their issue wasn't Jesus at all. They did not care for setting things right. They wanted to keep their education posts. They did not have time to set things right. Jesus wanted everyone to beware of their teachings—they were not being followed.
As a seminary student, I had courses which I did not understand why they were important—at least in how they were taught. Religious training must walk a fine line between equipping for setting things right and setting up an elite class of "academics" who look down on others trying to obey God's Word. Although I realize most of the issues about this come from the students taking their training in the wrong way, we must keep a firm grasp on teaching students to obey God's Word along with understanding God's Word.

Giving is accepted based on mindset not amount.

Jesus was not discounting the gifts rich people brought. He was praising the widow for giving everything. She gave more than everyone else because she was willing to put more faith in God to provide for her future. By giving more we put more faith in God to provide for our needs.

Love the Lord Your god with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.