As we enter the final section of the book of Acts, we will see that the narrative deliberately mirrors Luke’s Gospel narrative. In the latter part of Luke’s Gospel there is a movement towards Jerusalem and Jesus goes there conscious of the fact that he will suffer at the hands of his fellow countrymen. The same thing is now going to happen with Paul. Luke is highlighting this to show the parallel between the life of Jesus and that of Paul. He wants to show this because one of the main themes of Acts is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus by the Holy Spirit through the apostles and the church. The Holy Spirit wants to make your life look like the life of Jesus with the same effects on the environment. He wants you to bring light and restoration just as Jesus did. But in doing this you will also stir up strongholds and rattle defences. One thing we must be willing to sacrifice, if we want to be a Christian, is the approval of people. If you walk with Jesus, you go against the flow. People may reject you because of your faith and you must be willing to take that risk. There is something within us that just wants to ‘fit in’ and find approval from people. This is what we need to give up. We should do all we can not to offend social norms, but we inevitably won’t ‘fit in’ because we live with a completely different goal and purpose to most people. Are you prepared to be different?
Reflect on your willingness to sacrifice the approval of other people.
Read Acts 21:1-16
