June 4 - Acts 22: The Righteous Innocent
Paul is sharing his conversion story with a hostile crowd. He's speaking in the language they understand and with familiar words from their own Hebrew Scriptures. But, they have not yet recognized that this Righteous Innocent (v. 14, 17) who spoke to Paul is the same that God promised them.
"Time's coming"—God's Decree—
"when I'll establish a truly righteous David-Branch,
A ruler who knows how to rule justly.
He'll make sure of justice and keep people united.
In his time Judah will be secure again
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name they'll give him: 'God-Who-Puts-Everything-Right.'" (Jeremiah 23:5-6, Msg)
Watch for this: The time is coming'—God's Decree—'when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. When that time comes, I will make a fresh and true shoot sprout from the David-Tree. He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. That's when Judah will be secure and Jerusalem live in safety. The motto for the city will be, "God Has Set Things Right for Us." (Jeremiah 33:15, Msg)
"Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion! Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!Your king is coming! a good king who makes all things right, a humble king riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9, Msg)
This Righteous Innocent is the One who has made and is making all things right for us today. If this is true, then what does that mean for my life as I enter this day? What impact does this truth have on my activities that are so often focused on getting it right, putting things right, doing the right thing, and helping (or demanding?!) that others get it right? In the midst of all this, am I like Paul who heard the voice of the Righteous Innocent (v. 18) or am I more like the hostile crowd who did not recognize the 'God Who Put Everything Right'?
1 comment:
I just love the conversion story of Paul because it gives me hope. If Paul, someone who was standing along, applauding Christians as they were stoned, can be changed into a Jesus-worshipping man, I know that our God can change anyone's heart.
I went to a marriage conference this past weekend and I was reminded that in marriage, the biggest problem is ME. Ourselves. Our sin, our selfishness, our demands for our rights.
Yet how often do I look at my husband and demand that he change, while failing to see my own sinful heart? But once again, this passage gives me hope. God made a radical conversion in a man like Paul, therefore, he can do anything in the lives of those I love. My husband, my family members, my neighbors, my friends, my enemies and especially...MYSELF. While I have been converted, I see more of my sin everyday and it gets uglier and more depressing at times. If God can change Paul into a Jesus-lover, I can trust that He can change me and my sinful tendencies into something of beauty and glory for Him.
"Then he said: 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' (Acts 22:14-16 NIV)
Post a Comment