Day 339 – December 5, 2021
Scriptures: Nehemiah 12-13, Acts 24 Nehemiah 12:47 - So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron. Acts 24:14–16 – “However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these people themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and all people.” When the Israelite’s returned to Jerusalem, there was for a season a returning to the law of God. There was worship in accordance with David and to the law. Paul would refer to the law in his testimony. He is a follower of the Way. Here it means that he is a follower of Jesus Christ, in accordance to the law and the prophets. He sees the world in a whole new light, through the lens of Jesus as Lord. His hope is still very much in God. He now understands it as the God reveled to him through Jesus Christ. It’s the same God and faith, just now, infinitely more personal. This faith and assurance in Christ allows for Paul to navigate the world with a certain confidence. It gives him the boldness to proclaim faith in Christ, even against the threat of death. He does this before Felix and other powerful leaders. Again, our reading leads us towards a call to boldness in faith, and trusting in the Way of God. Blessings. Jordan
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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