| Acts 22:3-8;15-22 (A paraphrase in Haiku stanzas) Paul spoke in Hebrew Saying, "I am a good Jew, Born in Tarsus the province Of Cilicia, brought up And educated here in Jerusalem under the Exacting eye of Rabbi Gamaliel, thoroughly Instructed in our Jewish Religious traditions. And I've always passionately Been on God's side, just as you Are right now. Went after the followers of The Way, sought Some to their death, arresting Both men and women, throwing Them in prison right and left. The high priest, the whole council Of elders can testify That this is so. For I have Letters from them to Jewish Brothers in Damascus, that Authorize me to bring back The Christians from there, in chains To Jerusalem to be Sentenced and punished.” “I was on the road, Approaching Damascus near Noon, suddenly a very Bright light blazed down from Heaven And shone down all around me. I collapsed on the ground and Heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you fixed on Persecuting me?’” “‘Who are you, my lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I‘m Jesus the Nazarene Whom you are persecuting And are hunting down.” “Get up on your feet. You’re to be a key witness To all whom you meet of what You have seen and what you've heard. So what are you waiting for? Get up! Get yourself baptized, Scrubbed clean of all sins and be Acquainted intimately, Cleansed through the name of the Lord, Calling on God’s name.'” "Just as the Priest said, Yes, what Ananias spoke Happened—after I was back In Jerusalem, praying One day lone in the Temple, Lost in the presence of God, God's Righteous Innocent filled My sight, I saw him—heard him Say to me , Hurry up! Leave Jerusalem, for people Here won’t accept what you say— Your testimony.'” “‘But Lord,’ I argued, 'Who has better credentials? They all know how much I was Obsessed with hunting out those Who believed in you, beating Them up in meeting places And throwing them all in jail. They certainly recall that In every synagogue I Imprisoned and beat Christians Who believed in you. And I Completely agreed when your Witness Stephen was murdered. I was there, holding the coats Of the murderers, cheering Them on. And now they see me Totally converted. What Better qualifications Could I have? But, The Lord said, 'Don't argue. Go. I'm sending You on a far off journey To the outsider Gentiles!' The people in the crowd had Listened quietly up to This point, but now, at that word, They broke loose, tossing handfuls Of dust up into the air Shouting out, ‘Kill him! Kill him! He's an insect! Stomp on him! He’s not fit to live!’” ___________________________________ Words drawn from both the MSG and NLT ___________________________________ The Lesson’s Paradox There’s a paradox. Paul claimed his Jewish culture With the men to whom he spoke. Like them culturally but Not like them eternally. He saw Christ as the Saviour Of all men and God as the Lover of all men. But his Audience saw God as the Lover only of the Jews. As Christians in today’s world We live and serve in this world But God has separated Us and consecrated us For a special task. ____________________ From Barclay's Commentary ____________________ Harold Eidson February 9, 2018 |