PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 24:17-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection…’” (Acts 24:21)
I have a picture in my mind of this scene: Paul shouting in the temple.
This would take a lot of nerve from a one-time Jewish zealot now turned Jesus follower.
The temple was the most sacred space for the Jews, and Paul had betrayed it.
What strikes me most of all is Paul’s boldness, which I lack.
Some may say it was his personality type; he was a loud, bold person.
That may be, but he had also had a life-changing experience with Jesus.
His meeting the living Jesus turned him from an enemy to an advocate of Jesus.
We celebrated Jesus resurrection a few months ago, but is its impact still evident?
Do I know the living Jesus, is my experience of the resurrection lighting me up?
Paul was not being disrespectful when he was in the temple.
But when challenged, he did not deny his faith in the living Jesus.
I do not need to push my faith on others, but neither do I need to deny it.
When pressed and challenged, am I ready to shout my confidence in Jesus?
“Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid!” (Isaiah 40:9)
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be ready to shout when the time comes, to speak humbly and boldly about you, that others may hear and know who you are!
Paul knew what the trigger point was and he knew what it might mean for Felix. ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ It would take the focus away from being a ‘Jewish’ thing into a more universal realm – what about life after death? Paul was inspired, I believe, to say what he said by the HS. His words would have effect – and Paul was safe to say it – away from the unpredictable mobs and in the halls of earthly authority. Paul also spoke as a ‘learned’ man – someone well educated and able to communicate effectively in the language of the court. May God use me too to speak and to act in ways that are wise and have impact – Paul certainly did! A powerful witness!
This passage reminds me of the words found i 1 Peter 3:16
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Sharing that I can be a light others may see who I am if they but have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. All too often they are blinded by their own thinking.
AsRejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart a Jesus follower, my lifestyle needs to show that I am His and He is mine in all I do and say – He lives!