Acts 18
The homespun chapter.
There is still much travel. We start out in Athens and then travel to Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarea and Antioch. How can this be the homespun chapter?
The chapter talks about making new friends, meeting Priscilla and Aquila, meeting Apollos. And old friends reunited- Timothy and Silas rejoin the team. Then it also talks about just living life, making tents.
“2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.”
I like this chapter. Maybe because it shows real life. Maybe because it shows friendship and fellowship, maybe because it shows discipleship and inclusion,maybe because God speaks encouragement. But I think mostly because it shows that Christianity isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. It’s a part of a life, a real life.
I know I haven’t arrived. I’m not done learning, growing or failing. I haven’t outgrown the need for grace and forgiveness. Thank you Jesus that you know me and love me and forgive me. Forgive me.
Save, heal, protect and bless my friends and family. Become more real to us Jesus.
(I wrote this 5 years ago. There is a good chance that there are multiple copies here on my blog. I hope that’s okay with you my reader. If I think back to five years ago, we have added 5 grandkids since then, we lost my Father in law Harold and my Uncle Delvin, many friends too. We went to Scotland. We moved to a new house. Our family dynamic changed radically. Many, many changes and yet the message of this stays the same. Life is to be lived. Following Jesus isn’t a destination it is a journey. Focusing on our master, following him, listening to him, allowing him to lead me as I lead my family. Letting him correct me when I am wrong, seeking his forgiveness when I have failed. A lot has changed in 5 years but following Jesus is still the same. May you be encouraged today to keep following. Or if you are not a follower, please join us and be loved and forgiven and follow with us, our kind master, Jesus.)
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