Whitewashed Tombs

Paint can do something amazing.  It can transform an item which shows years of wear and tear into something that appears new and clean.  Over the past few years the fence in the back yard had begun to show its years of standing out in the elements.  It could very easily have been painted over and made to look new, but a coat of paint would not change the fact that dry rot had set in and many of the boards and posts were broken.  No amount of paint would fix what was broken.

In Acts 23, Paul confronts the leaders of the Jewish council who desired to see him die.  After the High Priest orders Paul to be struck on the mouth for the things he was saying, Paul says directly to the High Priest, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!”  There is deep meaning within these words that not only conjures up the words of Christ but also the prophet Ezekiel.  There is no amount of “paint” that could be used to hide the defects in the hearts of the council.

What do Ezekiel and Jesus teach us about being whitewashed tombs?  How can we evaluate our own hearts in an honest way to see what “paint,” if any, we are using to cover up our true spiritual condition?  Are we wearing a mask which looks good on the outside but only covers the darkness and hypocrisy within?

May God use this passage to speak to us this week and may we be prayerfully prepared to heed the work of the Spirit of God within our own hearts.

Gospel-centered Resolve

Maria and Varia, 18 years old, U.S.S.R., 1960s

From behind bars Varia said, “If they would free me, I would do it again and tell them about the great love of Jesus. Don’t think that I suffer. I am very glad that the Lord loves me so much and gave me the joy to endure for His name.”

Varia and her friend Maria were two Russian classmates. Because of Maria’s love for her, Varia became a Christian.

At a school assembly, Varia witnessed to those gathered about Jesus her Savior. Afterwards, Varia was taken away and imprisoned in a Siberian labor camp. She wrote the following words to her friend Maria:

“My heart praises and thanks God that, through you, He showed me the way to salvation. Now, being on this way, my life has a purpose and I know where to go and for whom I suffer. If feel the desire to tell and to witness to everybody about the great joy of salvation that I have in my heart. At work, they curse and punish me, giving me extra work because I cannot be silent. I must tell everyone what the Lord has done for me. As long as my lips can speak, I will witness to every one about His great love.” (Jesus Freaks, pgs. 100-102)

Varia was willing to endure much pain, suffering, and persecution for sake of the gospel message.  We find that same resolve in the life of Paul.  Acts 22:1-20 is the testimony of Paul given to the Jews who were trying to kill him.  He knew that his witness of God’s work in his life would not go over well with many of those who listened.  But he had to tell it none the less.  Paul, and Varia, had a gospel-centered resolve.  They were not confident in their flesh.  Their confidence came from their Savior, the gospel message come to life.

Where do we put our confidence and strength?  As disciples of Christ does our resolve to preach the Good News come from our flesh or from the Gospel itself?  May we be prepared to hear the Spirit’s movement in our own hearts and lives as we study His Word together this week.

Lord of All

When an individual participates in an organized sport in college, no matter what division, a commitment takes place.  In essence, to be successful an athlete must commit themselves fully to all aspects of their particular sport.  This may include weight lifting/training, regular practice sessions, play and film study, leadership, and much more than can be stated in such a limited space.  Being a college athlete is a full-time job as far as time is concerned.  College athletics is more than just playing in a game or match.  It is a way of life that forces the athlete to be fully committed or face the failure that is bound to arrive.

In Acts 21:27-36, Paul’s commitment to his God is tested.  While in the temple he is recognized and a riot ensues.  He is falsely accused of the crime of bringing Gentiles into the Jewish Court of the temple, an accusation which holds the penalty of death.  Paul’s reaction to this false accusation can teach us some valuable lessons in our commitment and relationship with God.

Being a disciple of Christ means putting all of our chips on the table, selling out completely to God, and allowing the God of the universe to be Lord of all of us.  When we “sign up” for discipleship with Christ we are committing to all that discipleship entails: both the good and the seemingly bad.  Discipleship is more than a full-time job, it is a life-consuming matter that affects every aspect of those committed.

May God prepare each of us this week as we study His Word and as He reveals to us our own heart.  Are we as committed to Christ as we believe?  May Paul’s response in this passage be used by God to teach us and move us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, making us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Law and Gospel

When I was in fifth grade I was at that wonderful age of awkwardness.  You know that age.  It’s a time when you desire so greatly to be “like everyone else” but in reality no one is alike.  It’s that strange world of not being a kid but also not being a teenager.  One day that awkwardness got the better of me.

The playground was an emotionally dangerous place.  There were some around me who bullied me and though they wanted nothing to do with me they would never leave me alone. But I wasn’t the kid in the school who was picked on the most.  There were others who were in even worse circumstances than me and one day I found myself standing with the bullies and not against them.  They were teasing a fellow classmate and I joined the throng.  Looking back on that situation I know I was in the wrong.  And even in the moment I knew that I was joining the group that I desperately despised.  Theologian Derek Thomas has a very wise and provocative statement that describes people in who find themselves in such a situation.

“To do what others do, or what others tell you do to, when deep down one knows it is wrong is moral cowardice.”

This week we will be exploring and studying Acts 21:17-26 where Paul finds himself in such a situation.  James and the elders of the church of Jerusalem ask Paul to purify himself through a ceremony to quell the murmurings of the Jews against him.  Paul complies and in doing so seems to place the Law of Moses higher than the gospel message.  Why?  Is Paul being a moral coward to do such a thing that he seems to teach in his letters to avoid?  Is Paul forsaking the gospel and clasping on to the Law of Moses?

These are very difficult and yet important questions for us to ask of Paul and of our own hearts.  May we be prayerfully prepared for what the Holy Spirit will reveal to us through His Word and may we be willing to honestly see any moral cowardice that may be alive and well in our own hearts.