April 1, 2011

Reading for March 28-April 1
Acts 22:30-23:1-11
Friday


“Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” Acts 23:1-11 (NLT)

“These men of faith I have mentioned died without ever receiving all that God had promised them; but they saw it all awaiting them on ahead and were glad, for they agreed that this earth was not their real home but that they were just strangers visiting down here." Hebrews 11:13 (TLB)

Receive in your heart of hearts today what won’t happen until “tomorrow”

Pastor’s Reflection

Paul did get to Rome, although as you will see, it happens under armed guard and under the worst of conditions.

However, one of the things to know about the book of Romans is that Paul wrote it in part as way to pave his way into the Roman church so that they could function as a stop over or bridge to the outer limits of the earth. Rome was not his final destination. In his letter (Ro 15:28) he’s clear that his vision is get the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

But he doesn’t get there. Instead tradition tells us that he was beheaded by the Roman forces under the Emporer Nero.

But, did he get to Spain in another way?

Moses did not get to enter the promised land.

But did he? On another mountain in Israel, Jesus met God and who was there, in the promised land? Moses (Matt 17:2)!! He got there not in his lifetime, but he got there.

You and I, too, can “receive” and “see” from afar “tomorrow” and be glad.

Joy should never be “when . . . . . . .then” dependent. We should receive God’s future today.