Category: Devotions

Our Easter companion

Acts 27:2 “We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.”

Aristarchus “was with us”. It isn’t a surprise really as he never left. He had known the experience of being seized in Ephesus when the whole city was in uproar against Paul. He was in the team of responsible disciples who accompanied Paul with the collection for the church in Jerusalem. It appears that he stays by the side of Paul through the 2 years of his imprisonment and then finally ends up being a prisoner himself (Colossians 4:10) when they arrive into Rome.

Have you got a friend who has never left you, but was there throughout your journey? Have you got a friend who knows what it is to be attacked like you, who can be trusted, who when you are at your weakest and least empowered stays by your side and who will even be judged with you?

After Jesus preached concerning his death, see what happened:

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. John 6:66

On that first Palm Sunday as he entered into Jerusalem, Jesus was highly popular and supported by his strong team of disciples.  Even when the crowd were being persuaded to change their mind on Jesus and Jesus spoke further about what would happen to him, Peter led the way and the rest followed in their support, “”Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.” Mark 14:31.

But then see what happened: “Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.” Mark 14:50

As Jesus arrived at his destiny the 6 friends who were still there with him were his mother, John, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene (John 19:25) and probably the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56).

Be thankful for the friend/s that remains by your side as you journey to your destiny. Some have been there all the time and some are drafted in and yes some drift away. This is the Easter journey for Christ and it will be your experience too.

I cannot finish this devotion without thinking of those few words again, “was with us”. From the beginning of his life here on earth, Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), to the end commissioning, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), Jesus promises us the constant presence of God as we journey to the ends of the world and the ends of our age.

Even if all our friends walk away, He will always be ‘with us”.

The Easter hand over

Acts 27:1 “When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.”

The destiny for Paul was Rome and Caesar. That was his next stop in his exciting life.

For Jesus it was the cross at Calvary. And for you it is … ??

Three things that happen along this path

1. Trading

• You won’t be in control

Paul was handed over to the control of a centurion. He didn’t travel freely, he was held, it still felt like prison even though it was a new chapter and he could see a development in the story.

• It will be cloaked

Acts of love around you can be signs of betrayal. Judas tried to make his betrayal of Jesus appear to be a loving action. If the kiss was indeed a genuine sign of respect then it only reveals the hypocrisy of Judas. “Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him.” Mark 14:45

• Conceitedness will be at the centre.

If people can gain from you they will. “…knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.” Mark 15:10

 

2. Characterised negatively.

The calling of names never stops from childhood and they often do hurt. Adults mainly categorise and put people in boxes with a label on them. “Controller” “Weak” “Too nice” “Harsh” the list continues.

Paul was put with other prisoners. We don’t know their crime but it was most probably a crime as opposed to the innocence of Paul. “She’s just like all the others” could be quoted at you.

Jesus was placed at the centre of the criminals. That is perhaps where he is more comfortable to be. “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.” Luke 23:33

 

3. The arduous journey

What is ahead of you may not be easy. Often our strongest challenges are ahead of us.

As we start this new chapter we will follow Paul on what has to be the most harrowing journey of his life, he will go through storms and shipwrecks and the reader will be left wondering will Paul actually make it?

Jesus explaining to his disciples the journey he was taking said “He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him;” Luke 18:32

How Jesus managed to get to the declarations on the cross is amazing for many prisoners had died under the Roman flogging it was that severe.

Will you make it? The circumstances may say you might not. That is to be expected.

So, the path that you are taking, it is steep and it is rough, and you will face these three things: Trading; being characterised negatively and the arduous journey, just like Jesus and Paul.

But remember who is really in control.

At the start of Luke’s book he wrote of Peter’s sermon to the Jews who said, “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge” Acts 2:23

Handed over maybe but still in the hands of God!

Your Easter Freedom

Acts 26: 32 “Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Paul had done nothing wrong and they knew it but they were however legally bound to send him onto Rome. The difficulty they had was they could not think of a charge to place on him so that Caesar would understand why this man was before him. Paul as a Roman citizen had the right of appeal and he used it. Acts 25:11 “If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Why did Paul really appeal? Was it because he thought Caesar would prove him innocent? NO … Acts 23: 11 “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Caesar and Rome was Paul’s destiny, where God wanted him to be, the place for his ultimate witness. If he had not held on to this then in the words of Agrippa he “could have been set free”.

There is a freedom that we could have if it was not for the path we are on. For Jesus it was Calvary, for Paul it was Rome and for us it is ???

You don’t have to go down this path. You can choose an easier route. There will always be people who will support you if you decide to abandon this narrow path. Rome/Calvary will cost you everything. It will mean you are saying goodbye to a certain freedom and embracing a deep surrender.

However, those along the path of surrender with all of its restriction and containment know a freedom that is only known here. When my children were young I wouldn’t let them out of the garden gate without me. If they had gone out on their own they no doubt would have experienced a freedom that other children were having. But they were limited by my purpose for their lives at that time. Within this containment they found great freedom, a place where they could grow and explore in my presence, in safety and in purpose.

You may struggle with the path you are on. You may look to the left and the right and think how amazing it would be to be there. You may wonder why you are not free to do so much more for God if only things were different. Let me suggest that the journey you are on right now is the right one. It is filled with purpose. It is aligned with your gifting. It is what God wants for your life. It may be difficult, you may have to pay the price but it is actually the best place to be free, to be who you are and to use your talents and to become all that you can become. It is your Easter freedom.

The Easter offence

Acts 26: 31 “After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

Luke 23 “Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man … Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death … For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.”

(And even on the cross itself) “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Paul was experiencing what Christ went through for us. Paul was imprisoned and facing a death penalty when he didn’t deserve either of those. He had been imprisoned for 2 years and is now hearing what he knew, he had done no wrong.

I heard yesterday how a Bangladeshi man on coming to Christ was then refused seeing his family for a total of 15 years. The charge was he had become a Christian. He actually had done no wrong by law.

So why was Paul in the place he was in? Why did the Bangladeshi man go through the agony of separation? Why is the world littered with examples of this? It is because we follow Christ who was taken to the cross though he did no wrong.

The road to the cross, the path of Christ, this narrow path, is one of offence. It is the road of rejection, of being overlooked, of people’s wrongful opinion of you. It is being known as ‘marmite’, some people like you some people don’t and the ones who don’t seem to be the loudest and will contain you if they can. This road means people will judge you on some facts but not all the facts. Some people will be blinded to the truth even though it is set before them. You may feel set aside today, walked over, used and abused, there may even be betrayal and denial along your life’s journey. “What did I do wrong?” this is often what goes through your mind. “Could I have done better?” The answer is NO. You are on the road marked with offence not marked with justice.

An Easter resurrection needs to be every day.

Acts 26:30 “The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.”

It doesn’t matter who rises before you.

Kings and Queens, authoritative and important figures may rise in your presence.

I have been in the offices of many people of importance. I have been dwarfed by their intimidating presence. But where are they now? They come and they go. Why did I allow man to become that big in my life?

What is rising before you today? Is it mountain size? Whose shadow do you stand under? You may think they hold the keys to your future. You may even think it is life and death as for Paul.

The challenge before you may be huge.

The king may be rising.

But remember your king has already risen! Never let a man size king be bigger than the King of Kings.

Because your King has risen you will never be condemned, disqualified or rejected.

Walk tall under the shadow of the only resurrection that truly matters today.

Be like me

Acts 26:29 “Paul replied, “Short time or long-I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Do you want people to be like you?

Become what I am ….

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)

My hearts desire and prayer is that (like I am) they may be saved (Romans 10:1)

Be imitators of me (Philippians 3:17)

Paul is either truly arrogant or he purely desires people to be saved like him and to live like him.

I prefer the latter.

But you may not want to be like Paul. You may disagree and not like him. It has often been asked of me as I have blogged this book verse by verse these last 3 years whether I like Paul or not.

Let me help you:

He was deeply thankful for the change of life that Jesus gave him.

He deeply wanted everyone to have what he had.

He was prepared to lay his life down for Jesus.

He grappled with deep doctrinal truths which we are forever grateful for.

And it is these 4 key aspects of the life of Paul that makes me want to be like him in desiring to be like Christ.

Now, do I want people to become what I am?

May my life radiate Christ that people want to be like me in desiring Him!

Surely that is your prayer too?

The long road

Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Many have tried to work out whether the King was being sarcastic, evasive or sincere.

You may have your own opinion.

Paul was poised waiting for the King to say yes I believe what the prophets say about the coming Jewish Messiah. Paul would then within a few moves prove that the coming Messiah was indeed Jesus who he has been telling people of. The King knew what Paul was doing.

Here is the question before us. How Paul responds we will see.

The truth is that it can be a short time to the place of conversion. A short time for some but it is always a long journey of surrender for everyone. Releasing our will and our ambition and our sin to Jesus, humbly coming to his feet and crying out for a Saviour is a long hard journey on a narrow path. It may not take a long time but it sure is a long journey. And the truth is, we are all still on that long road.

Find the connection

Acts 26:27 “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do”

If King Agrippa agreed to knowing the Prophetic messages of a coming Messiah then Paul would then move quickly to prove without a doubt that Jesus is the fulfilment of those messages.

Paul is clever.

One of the keys to mission is finding what we share in belief not what are our differences. Think of your friend, colleague, neighbour, what do they hold to that is part of your belief … start there to tell them of Jesus. Find a way. That is what Paul would say to you.

Paul is poised waiting for the Kings response…

Get LOUD

Acts 26:26 “The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.”

We don’t follow an idea that was held within a corner.

We follow a loud event that has shaken the earth and is continuing to do so.

Jesus’ life, miracles, healings, teaching was open, public for all to see.

He didn’t die quietly in the shadows.

His suffering on the cross was loud, the resurrection was violent and many saw him afterwards.

The ministry of Paul to the Jews created havoc and when he crossed over to reach the Gentiles then the gospel spread far and wide.

King Agrippa is not hearing of something new. He has surely heard of what Paul is speaking about.

That is the point.

May we continue to keep it loud. Let the gospel sing! Let the Church shout and declare. May every Christian who can freely and openly demonstrate the gospel do so! For parts of our family in many nations are pushed into a corner today, they are having to whisper their faith when declaring it, they pray silently but the effectiveness of the gospel continues.

Don’t be silent if you don’t need to be for Christ was not silent, he was loud!

David Tinnons last message to me

Acts 26:25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.”

The Message translation says: “But Paul stood his ground. “With all respect, Festus, Your Honour, I’m not crazy. I’m both accurate and sane in what I’m saying.”

Today is the 1^st anniversary of the death of my friend, David Tinnion, he is with Jesus now. I am thinking about him this morning and his wife Bobbie who he loved immensely. I miss him.

He was the person who brought me into the world of missions. I am where I am today because he opened opportunities for me many years ago where God then touched my life and changed my thinking. I was the one who took him on his last missions trip, back to Africa, where he first took me.

It might seem strange that I refer to him as we read this verse today. But read on and you will see why.

Paul in his defence to King Agrippa had spoken of Christ being the Jews King of all kings, their prophesied Messiah and that his resurrection proved it. It was the great offence to the Jewish mob wanting Paul dead. Festus wades in and accuses Paul of being mad. Paul responds by saying he wasn’t!

Paul says, “What I am saying is true.”

There have been times in my life when perhaps simply exhausted or discouraged, when I have lost focus, that I have asked the question, “is this true. Is Christianity real? Is God there?” Maybe you are never like this. But maybe someone reading today is definitely like me, maybe today is that day.

In February 2017 David and I were in Uganda and over a meal we were chatting and talking about my life, my work, he was always interested in what I was doing. I was having one of those moments that I have just described. In the middle of much laughter we were having I stopped and asked, “David is this true? I mean is all that we have given our lives for, is it real?”

David looked at me as if he was leaving me a message that I would carry for the rest of my life and slowly said, “Paul, listen to me, it is all true!”

He didn’t say it in the way Paul said it to Festus, but he said the same words, “It is true!”

Friends, whatever is going on in your life and the circumstances of your life may tell you that you are on your own and what you are following isn’t there. But I quote what the Apostle Paul says and what my friend says, “It is true!” Everyone needs a friend like this. Everyone needs someone who can hold on to the truth and declare the truth when you need it the most.