Acts 28: To the Capital…in Chains
From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus.
From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus.
The future of the Gentile church depends in large measure on what happens to Paul, God’s chosen Apostle to the Gentiles. The last few chapters of Acts portray a spiritual tug-of-war in which God turns apparent tragedy into good. Paul gets arrested; he’s sent at last to Rome. The ship wrecks; they all survive. A poisonous snake bites Paul; he shakes it off and starts a healing ministry. The voyage ends at last in Rome.
Paul knows that if Christianity is to gain a foothold anywhere, it has to be in Rome. “All roads lead to Rome” is more than a figure of speech. Like a center of gravity, the city attracts all the roads of commerce, all the leaders and thinkers and fortune seekers of the empire. Political and military powers fan out from Rome. It is the indisputable capital of the world.
Ironically, the greatest spokesman for the Christian faith arrives at his ultimate destination as a prisoner. Paul is exhausted, having just survived a harrowing shipwreck. No doubt the reputation he has gained on the voyage helps convince authorities to treat him leniently. He lives by himself under a kind of house arrest. A soldier is always present, possibly chained to the apostle.
Despite the circumstances, Paul keeps busy. During his very first week in Rome, he calls in Jewish leaders and explains to them the Christian “sect” everyone is talking about. Over the next months and years Paul gets hours of quiet solitude to works on fond letters to the churches he has left behind.
Yet, Paul can no longer choose his audience; they have to seek him. But boldly, in the heart of mighty Rome, he proclaims a new kingdom and a new king. Before long, some of Caesar’s own household staff converts to the new faith. Christianity has made the journey and the transition from Jerusalem to Rome.
Reflection
Another great lesson that we can all learn from Paul’s story is to strive to make the best of bad situations. So often, when things go awry, I tend to make rash decisions and turn away from God, using him almost as a scapegoat. Instead- like Paul- I need to take what life gives me and run with it…keeping in mind all along that Christ is right beside me.
Paul knows that if Christianity is to gain a foothold anywhere, it has to be in Rome. “All roads lead to Rome” is more than a figure of speech. Like a center of gravity, the city attracts all the roads of commerce, all the leaders and thinkers and fortune seekers of the empire. Political and military powers fan out from Rome. It is the indisputable capital of the world.
Ironically, the greatest spokesman for the Christian faith arrives at his ultimate destination as a prisoner. Paul is exhausted, having just survived a harrowing shipwreck. No doubt the reputation he has gained on the voyage helps convince authorities to treat him leniently. He lives by himself under a kind of house arrest. A soldier is always present, possibly chained to the apostle.
Despite the circumstances, Paul keeps busy. During his very first week in Rome, he calls in Jewish leaders and explains to them the Christian “sect” everyone is talking about. Over the next months and years Paul gets hours of quiet solitude to works on fond letters to the churches he has left behind.
Yet, Paul can no longer choose his audience; they have to seek him. But boldly, in the heart of mighty Rome, he proclaims a new kingdom and a new king. Before long, some of Caesar’s own household staff converts to the new faith. Christianity has made the journey and the transition from Jerusalem to Rome.
Reflection
Another great lesson that we can all learn from Paul’s story is to strive to make the best of bad situations. So often, when things go awry, I tend to make rash decisions and turn away from God, using him almost as a scapegoat. Instead- like Paul- I need to take what life gives me and run with it…keeping in mind all along that Christ is right beside me.
1 comment:
It is true that God puts us in times of solitude to do a different, less hurried kind of work. His imprisonment lead to many letters that have empowered believers through the centuries. Our ways are in His hands.
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