As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?” “Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?” “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.” The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic. (Acts of the Apostles 21:37-40 NLT)
Even in the midst of the tumult, Paul takes an opportunity to reach out to the crowd of Jews in order to present Jesus to them. No matter what the opposition, Paul was bent on sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen. Knowing the resistance, he still proceeded to address them. Tenacity is a good word for describing Paul's drive. Unashamedly, he stood resolved in his faith. You and I will do well to do the same. We will not always be accepted by our peers, countrymen, or even among the religious. Standing for, and spreading, the authentic gospel of Jesus is our commission. Let's remain faithful and true to the truth even when it endangers our lives. The truth is worth dying for!!
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March 2020
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