Readings for today: Psalms 59-61, Acts 28:11-31
The Apostle Paul is one of my heroes. From the time he met the Risen Christ outside of Damascus until his death in Rome many years later, he never stopped preaching Christ. Never stopped proclaiming the gospel. It didn’t matter whether people agreed with him or not. Stones did not stop him. Riots didn’t stop him. Death threats didn’t stop him. Opponents from within the church didn’t stop him. Imprisonment didn’t stop him. Poverty, shipwreck, pain, suffering…none of it got in his way. He simply took each and every opportunity in each and every city he went to share Jesus with those who did not yet know him. Even at the end of his life here in Acts 28, we see him using his imprisonment and impending martyrdom to teach people about the Kingdom of God.
“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30-31)
It’s a powerful testimony to the strength and resilience of Paul’s faith. He never seemed to waver. Never seemed to doubt. Never seemed to question. Once he met the Risen Christ, it was like something clicked in Paul’s Pharisee brain. The hope of Israel had come. By raising Jesus from the dead, God had placed His divine stamp of approval on His life and ministry and mission. The vindication that Paul himself expected to receive at the end of time through resurrection had broken into history in the Person of Jesus. It was mind-blowing and life-altering and Paul never looked back. He devoted the rest of his life to sharing this good news with the world. Jew and Gentile alike. Any who would come and listen.
Perhaps you wonder about Paul’s state of mind here at the end of his life? Perhaps you wonder as death approached if he ever caved into fear or anxiety? Perhaps you wonder how he faced his death with such courage? Listen to the words he wrote to his young protege, Timothy, while he was imprisoned in Rome. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
What was the source of Paul’s “boldness” at the end of his life? It was Christ. Paul kept his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. He looked beyond the horizons of this life to the life to come where he knew his reward awaited him. He understood that those who give their lives in service to Christ - whether preachers or teachers, worship leaders or artists, business owners or line employees, CEO’s or sanitation workers, professional athletes or politicians - all will receive the crown of righteousness for the work they do in spreading the gospel. All will receive the reward they are due for the sacrifices they make to expand God’s Kingdom.
Friends, we can pour our lives out for many things in this world. We can chase our dreams. We can achieve our goals. We can pursue all sorts of influence, power, success, and wealth. But at the end of the day, the only thing truly worth giving your life for is Jesus. The only vision truly worth pursuing is the vision He casts of His Kingdom. The only race worth running is the one that finds it’s finish line in heaven.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 62-64, Romans 1