SCRIPTURE: Acts 24
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. [Matthew 12:6]
Like Jesus, Paul is accused of dishonouring God’s temple.
At one time, Paul would have joined these Jews in defending the sanctity of the temple, but now he has met the One that is greater than the temple.
Though he honours the symbols and traditions of the temple, he is now serving the One that the temple is pointing to.
God gave the temple to the people of Israel as a sign of God’s presence until the promised one – the desire of the nations – would come revealing the glory of God in the temple [Haggai 2:6-9].
It is so sad that the Jews, who ought to have welcomed the coming messiah, turn instead against Him and His messenger.
They were so devoted to their religious observances, yet they miss the promised messiah when He comes.
Paul defends himself against his accusers.
God provides a somewhat sympathetic judge in Felix.
Though he is kept under guard, he is granted a measure of freedom.
For two years he lives in this limbo – under guard yet not restricted.
God is protecting Paul and using Paul to get the message of Jesus, the kingdom, the resurrection and the judgment out.
Even though Felix’s motives are mixed (he was hoping for a bribe), he hears the message of Jesus, God with us, the fulfillment of the temple.
In this way Paul fulfills the task of the temple himself: he stands as a light and a witness to the presence and power of God in Jesus.
And this, afterall, was his assignment, and ours as well.
While people of the world get wrapped up in their buildings and their religious rituals, we focus on a person – Jesus Christ.
He is the way to God, not the temple.
We must always beware that we not get sidetracked about secondary things, that we lose our focus on Jesus.
All kinds of arguments take place in churches, between believers, in the name of honouring God.
Yet they often miss the point altogether.
In the end, its about Jesus.
He is the way, the truth, the life – not our church, our confessions, our traditions!
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive us for losing our focus on You. Remind me again that You are the greatest. May You be the greatest for me too!
God met his people in the temple and yet the people did not receive Him. Ears they had and they did not hear Him but went about in their own way rather than His Way – the Way which Paul proclaimed. Paul was His Proclaimer and His people did not hear but insisted upon their own ways.
And when their lawyer brought his testimony to the governor, he used flattery and false accusations. Paul was given the power to speak boldly and the seed did fail on the rocky ground. Interested, but not yet. Interested to hear more but . . . Felix wanted more . . . hear more but also more money – a bribe. But . . .
Felix was replaced and the opportunity lost because he was a man pleaser rather than a Son pleaser.
Positions of power fade. Opportunities to hear/accept the Word pass. We can not be a people of convenience – our way – but in all things do it His Way. Today God Is First as He needs to be every day in my life.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.