February 14, 2017: SOAP #2630:  Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 21:35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”  37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.  38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?”  39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

Observation:  The Roman commander had totally misjudged Paul!  He had no clue who it was he had taken into custody and to whom he was talking.  “Do you know Greek?”  Ha!  Here was one who had studied under a great Jewish theologian and would come to write most of what we now know as the New Testament.

Application:  I recently have come to know some things about people I have long counted as friends.  I found important parts of their history about which I had no clue.  I was surprised and amazed.  It made me consider them with a new appreciation.        The questions people ask often reveal that they really do not know Jesus, at least not very well!   I need to pay attention to what people around me are saying.  Maybe I can help them find a new appreciation for Jesus!

Prayer:    Jesus, You came to earth to be known.  You lived in the public’s eye.  Holy Spirit, help me to make Jesus known today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!