Finding those who belong

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

And sinners will return to you. Psalm 51:13

 

Read Acts 18:5—11

Paul was a doughty customer. Even when he was warned by a messenger from God that he was heading for persecution if he went up to Jerusalem, it did not stop him going. He simply declared that he was ready to die.[1] In any case, suffering for Christ went with the job for Paul.[2] So I am at first inclined to downplay the importance of this visionary word from the Lord that came to him at Corinth, ‘Do not be afraid.’ I know it would be a marvellous comfort for me, but does Paul even need comfort? Well, of course he does. His letters never let me forget that he is as vulnerable as I am. The better way for me to read this, and his total experience as apostle of Jesus, is that this is one instance of a passionate conviction he always held. He was simply propelled on, whatever the personal danger, to unearth the next believers who would join him as members of God’s people. That is his secret. He had to find the next brother or sister. It is surely a secret for me to learn and to pray for.

 

Thank you, Father, for your appointed apostle Paul. Thank you for all who have urgently bent their lives toward revealing you to people, to finding those who are ready and prepared to receive you. Thank you for Paul’s companions in that place, Aquila, Priscilla, Silas and Timothy, Titius Justus and Crispus.[3] Thank you that I, too, am not alone. I have companions in the Gospel. May we together be unafraid. May we find the way to speak and not be silent. May we be led by the Spirit to find those who are ready to know themselves as your people.

 

 

 

 

[1] Acts 21:10-14

[2] 2 Corinthians 11:23-30

[3] Acts 18:1-5,7-8