This is the question for us this morning. Everything hinges on our answer. Is Jesus merely one among others, one of the prophets? Is he one of the greatest prophets, John the Baptist or Elijah, but still one among others?
Everything changes for Paul when he learns the answer to this question.
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Let us recognize that Jesus is not one among others. There is no one like him. We need to be able to say with Peter, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
When we know who Jesus is we are built on the rock against which the gates of Hell shall not prevail. Even if we are taken into custody and put into prison for his name we are unshaken. When we know who Jesus is we know that he is for us. It no longer matters who else is against us. Circumstances can't stop us. We are more than conquerors in all of these things (cf. Rom. 8:31). If we are in prison it doesn't matter because God will use us right where we are to proclaim his name to the guards. Paul is able to remain in prison to preach to the guards when that is God's will for him. If God does not want to use us from prison he will send an angel to set us free just as he does for Peter.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
“Get up quickly.”
The chains fell from his wrists.
When we know who Jesus is we compete well, finish the race, and keep the faith. We long for his appearance so much that he sustains us in all of our trials. With Paul we see that the "Lord stood by my and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed".
We now trust in him to rescue us from every evil threat. Built on the rock we have both the motivation and the strength to pursue him wherever he leads.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
No comments:
Post a Comment