Category: Devotions

The Christmas question

Acts 23:28  “I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. “

The Commander wanted to know why.

One of the things I tell my missionary students is to always try and find out the story. Prejudice is the barrier to mission and it is broken down one we ask the right question, “What is your story?”. So many judge on face-value opinion and often they are wrong.

This Christmas maybe we can be refreshed in knowing the why of the story. Hopefully people who have never asked that question will do so. I am sure Churches throughout the world will be trying to communicate the answer.

Why? The Christmas question.

Christmas rescue

Acts 13:27 “This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.”

The Commander, Claudius Lysias, is writing to Felix as he has Paul escorted to Caesarea.

Whether we want to say this is a slight exaggeration or a down right lie that is your opinion, but is wasn’t true and he left out some details.

He twists the truth to put him in a positive light with the governor. He had only discovered Paul was a Roman citizen after he had rescued him from the mob and had him stretched out ready to be flogged.

The story of Christmas is the story of a rescue.

We were in sin and deserving punishment.

The devil had a hold on us and knew all our sins and demanded justice for them.

But God came.

The incarnation of Christ was the rescue for all mankind. It was joy to the world.

Today be glad, don’t be downhearted, He has come, you are rescued. And if you need rescuing again, He is near to you.

Christmas Greetings 2

Acts 23:26 “Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.”

The day comes – the signing of the Christmas cards. If there’s two of you, one can do the envelope and the other signing. It’s the luck of the draw who gets the card with a Christmas bauble and who gets the star of David. One year nephew Nick, the 21 year old sportsman gets a little angel playing a harp on top of a Christmas tree, whereas 88 year old Aunt Matilda gets Santa Claus on top of a snow-laden rooftop doing a moony – it’s what comes out of the box. You sign it and that’s that job done for another year.

One year I attended a Pastors meeting and one of the Pastors was sitting in the corner before the meeting writing his cards before we commenced. He then put the card in the envelope and put the name of the person who was in the meeting on the front of the envelope then handed them out. When I got mine apart from the printed ‘Happy Christmas’ on the inside of the card, it just gave his name. It could have been given to someone else. I haven’t forgotten that expression of lavish generosity!

If you get a card with a sentence in it this year be very thankful for the effort taken!

Gabriel announced to Mary, ‘Greetings’

The Commander wrote to Felix, ‘Greetings’

And you will write greetings cards and receive them.

Within our family we would ask one another ‘how many cards did you get?’, we would have them dangling on a string off the walls of the rooms in the house.

Whether you have many or just one be thankful this year that someone has written to you.

Maybe take a bit more time to write your greetings.

 

 

Christmas Greetings 1

Acts 23:25 “He wrote a letter as follows”

Luke has the exact copy of the letter. He doesn’t say ‘It said something like…” No, he has it with him. He is holding the letter or a copy of it at least.

Christmas is often the season for letter and card writing. Some of us do not do so well seeing as we haven’t written all year but have typed on some keyboard or phone. Before 2007 and the rise of technology written communication was really important at this time of the year. We used to make a list of people that we needed to buy cards for. Who would make it on to our list this year? Who was no longer with us? Who didn’t deserve to receive a card because of the behaviour in that year?! Of course some would be there on the list, every year, no matter what they have or not done. They had to be on there because if you didn’t send a card you would be causing a world war 3 to happen!

Whatever happens this year, whether you get cards or send them, remember this … in your hand you hold the world’s greatest love letter – the Bible. The Message of God to you.

Horses

Acts 23: 24 “Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

Paul was protected by the strength of the soldiers and of the horses. Maybe these were like a bullet-proof vehicle today! It epitomised the strength of protection around Paul.

The Old Testament has over 100 references to the strength of horses, mainly referring to the power of the enemy as it attacks God’s people. God often laughs and scorns such prowess, no matter how many horses there are. His kings would collate their own regiment of horses, David and Solomon in particular.

At some point in this Christmas season we will start to hear the song, ‘Little Donkey, carry Mary’ as she and Joseph went to Bethlehem and there Jesus was born. Most live-manger scenes have a donkey. Though pretty there isn’t obviously a donkey mentioned in the gospel account. But it would make sense as a means of travel. We like to stress the humbleness of the story and the donkey does the job for us.

Of course Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem and again we have the humility of Jesus.

But make no mistake … God has horses!

In an amazing encounter between Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6: 17-18 we have this said:  ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.

John in his revelation and the ending of the Bible gives us a picture that Jesus is not riding in humility, he is not on a donkey…

 ^“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Revelation 11: 11-14

Paul had the Commanders horses.

But he like us served a higher Commander who rides the white horse! He is not only meek and mild, He is high and powerful. He is big!

 

He is big!

Acts 23:23 “Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.”

Now let us just remind ourselves of the threat.

There were 40 Jews ready to ambush Paul and kill him.

The Commander ordered 470 Roman soldiers to take Paul to Caesarea.

That is a large amount compared to the 40. The Commander was bigger than the threat, his resources were bigger and more frightening than their plans and he flexed his muscle.

We have a big Commander.

To those today who are facing difficulties, no matter how big they are … you have a bigger God

You may be facing an army of problems but God has a bigger army!

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53

If only you could see who God has set around your life and who is working for you!

The lowly Shepherds realised how big God was:  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ Luke 2:13-14.

Don;t let people be fooled by the size of the baby in the manger. Jesus is really big!

 

Sometimes it is wise to keep things hidden

Acts 23:22 “The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: ‘Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.’”

Not every healing should be shouted from the rooftops: ‘Don’t tell anyone…’ Matthew 8:4

Some divine encounters need to be kept hidden until later: ‘Don’t tell anyone…’ Matthew 17:9

The commander didn’t want his own plan to be discovered by the Jews: “Don’t tell anyone…”

It is not just the enemy who has a hidden agenda, we also can have one.

The bigger picture is important. Make sure you can see it. It is not just about now, but it is what you do now that will affect the future.

It is important to protect the present so that there is a tomorrow.

The story of Christmas is God hiding in the smallness, insignificance, a hidden agenda.

Let us copy Him more. .

 

Say NO

Acts 23: 21 “Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.’”

Don’t give in to the ambush.

Don’t let people use you for their evil gain.

Don’t agree to any hidden agenda.

Resist.

Stand your ground.

Say No.

Disagree.

Refuse.

You can give a negative response.

Maybe today someone just needs to not go with the flow and saying Yes is not the wisest thing to say.

 

Hidden agendas

Acts 23: 20 “He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.”

Paul’s nephew now has the chance to tell the Commander the truth of what he has heard.

“You are going to be asked to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin for further questioning.”

But it is a pretext.

We often find ourselves not knowing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Recently I was invited to someone’s home. At first I thought this was a lovely invitation even though the programme didn’t allow for such a social meeting i felt honoured that the hosts were going out of their way to make sure I visited their home. Within 5 minutes of being there I realised that the reason for being in their home was to visit a project which operates there. I had been stitched up!

It is nearly impossible to see a pretext as they can be covered over so well. But whenever a pretext is used then it generally isn’t wise to pursue further.

Keep the agenda on the table.

 

 

A hand held

Acts 23:19 “The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, ‘What is it you want to tell me?’”

Just a small gesture.

That’s all it was.

This small touch brought the comfort from the nervous situation.

This small touch brought confidence to be free to speak.

This small touch brought a connection of fondness for the young man.

Comfort, confidence and connections are needed today.

It doesn’t take much.

Just a small gesture.