Acts 25: Enemies
By Kate Murphy
Two years pass, and the mere hint that a new governor might release Paul raises a mob in Jerusalem and another murderous plot. Which begs the question - if Paul is such a good and faithful man, how is it that he has so many committed enemies? We expect that those who live passionately for God will walk around in a palpable cloud of holiness and spectators will view them with a kind of respectful awe and admiration. But Paul is reviled. He has more enemies than he can count. How can this be?
Like it or not, the gospel is controversial. It clearly reveals that God is for some things and against others (note I said things, not people). Jesus didn't tell us that God loves us and so anything anybody does is A-Okay. Paul can play innocent as much as he wants here before Festus and there before Felix, but his gospel ministry announces that God's way is incredibly different than the holy status quo.
Festus might scratch his head over why Paul's claim that "this dead man Jesus is alive" is such a big deal, but we can see why. Paul was announcing God's judgment upon those who used God's law to make peace with the broken world. As the priests and Pharisees clung desperately to the world's passing away, they cursed Paul. It wasn't possible to be faithful to God's revelation without becoming their enemies.
So if we don't have any enemies, maybe we ought to be a little concerned. Do we stand for anything at all? We all agree that the world is heart shatteringly broken. Our proclamation of the gospel ought to challenge that. It ought to make some people afraid. It ought to make some people mad. We shouldn't be shocked if it makes us some enemies after all - Jesus prepared us for that (Luke 6:27-37).
- Do you believe that having enemies can ever be a byproduct of faithfulness? If you have enemies, is it possible they might be disturbing messengers of the Kingdom?
- The church no longer has a reputation for disturbing the peace. We now are the establishment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
- What other details did you notice in today's reading?
Prayer: Lord, teach us to preach the gospel with bold humility. If that earns us enemies, teach us to love them. Bless those who hate us and show us how to do good to those who curse us. Amen.
