Acts 25:18-19 “But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.”
I wonder what accusations Festus expected; it seems that Festus was surprised that it was about their religion. It’s pretty weird that the jewish religious leaders would turn to the Roman Government for help in their relgious affairs. What does that say about the situation? What does it say about the jewish leaders? What does it say about the accused? What does it say about the crime the man has committed? I find it interesting that again the jewish leaders appeal to the government when it comes to an issue with Jesus. They do not go to the scriptures; they do not point to how Jesus is not part of God’s plan…..they go to court and try to get the government to step in and give them what they want. It’s as if, in sending Jesus, God did not give the jews what they wanted so they then appealed to the power of the world who always seeks to please the people to get what they desire. What is it about this “insistence” on the part of Paul that has the jews so ticked off? Will Paul not budge? Is Paul demanding that Jesus is alive? Would they have acted differently if Paul would have suggested? Why is it that the world has such a problem with Jesus? Why will we go to great lengths to eliminate this story of forgiveness and redemption and anyone who claims the story as truth?
What accusations are being made about “Christians” today? Are they true? Are they false? What is the image of Christianity today? What are Christians insisting on today? I wonder if the jews of the text would have any desire to go to the court against us? Would Paul even call us Christians? Would Paul write a letter to us condemning us for our practice of faith? If Paul wrote a letter what would he say? What issues would be address? It seems to me, at least in my context of the southeast in America that we would be virtually no threat to the jews of the text. It seems that we have reduced the gospel to a few hot button issues and these issues are the only thing we insist upon. It seems that we insist that there are outsiders and insiders; it seems that we insist upon that we need to keep “those people” away and build us a little “protective bubble” of “Christianity” to live in. I’m not even sure that Paul would call us “Christians.” I’m not even sure I want to be a “Christian” if this is what being a “Christian” is. I think I prefer to be called a follower of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead that I may have a new life that begins now and will last for eternity. It seems to me that we insist on “cheap grace.” It seems that we have reduced Jesus to a “AAA” card that is our great “American universal healthcare” insurance plan; our free pass to live however the hell we want to. I see very little difference between “claim to be Christians” and “non-Christians” in my world. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I see a “Christianity” that is me-centered and not Jesus-centered; I guess what I’m trying to say is I see a “Christianity” that the jews of the text, festus, Agrippa, Caesar, etc would all embrace and practice and a “Christianity” that Paul would reject.
Lord, I come to you today desiring to have a practice of faith that is faithful to the gospel. I pray Lord that you would protect me from the temptation to have a me-centered faith where I use your name to accomplish my own selfish desires. I pray that you would continue to change my heart into a practice of faith that follows in the footsteps of Paul. May I continue to insists in your resurrection and invitation into a brand new life. Use me as a tool to lift up this message. Protect me from my fear of the “jews” and “Caesar” and may I not give into the temptation to speak things that are only pleasing to the ear. Continue to change my heart and to create Crossroads into a place that doesn’t just focus on a couple of issues, doesn’t preach cheap grace….but may we be the kind of people that insists Jesus has risen from the dead and given us a new life; may we be the kind of people that drive the “jews” and “caesar” crazy; may we be the kind of people that make you smile. Amen!!!
Through scripture I am reminded and called to practice authentic, Jesus centered faith.
