THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 21:27-36
“This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people.” (Acts 21:28)
Paul is charged with being anti-semitic, but the charge was not true.
It is the spirit of Satan, not Jesus, that inspires this kind of violence.
Satan provokes people to anger and violence so he can thwart God’s purpose.
As Jesus followers, we need to be known for grace, peace and love, even under pressure.
Sadly, many Jews since then could accurately charge christians of being anti-semitic.
History demonstrates that Jesus’s followers have violently opposed the Jewish people.
And not just them, but people of many cultures and faiths.
But this is not just a christian problem; like the Jews here, all people are guilty.
Jesus did not defend Himself with force violence, He chose the way of grace and peace.
As Jesus followers, we cannot prevent others from falsely accusing and attacking us.
But we can control how we behave, and how we respond to their violence.
Following Jesus, we do not join in the evil by responding with anger, hate or violence.
We need to repent of angry, hurtful and violent response, and become peacemakers.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I pray for people falsely accused and cruelly abused for their faith – whatever their religion. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin in me!