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Acts 22:19-22
“‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”
New International Version (NIV)
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I once read:
“I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk, or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don’t want enough of God to make me love people of other races or care for immigrants.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.”
Is it just me or do we feel more comfortable with the first of the two greatest commandments than we do with the second one? We can talk about loving God all day long to the pleasant chorus of others saying, “Amen,” in unison. But the moment we try to extend God’s love to a group of people whom others don’t love, we can get run out of the room.
Paul found this out the hard way. When he returned to Jerusalem with an offering from Gentile Christians to Jewish Christians, the offering was well received. To make peace, he took a vow, shaved his head and went with others to make an offering to God. But his opponents saw him there and assumed the worst. They falsely accused him of bringing a Gentile into the Temple. Then the riot ensued. The Roman Centurion intervened and arrested Paul, but Paul spoke to him in Greek and asked to make a speech to his detractors.
As long as Paul talked about his love for God and the law, they were with him. Even when he told about seeing the light and having his sight restored by Ananias in Damascus. They tracked with him through baptism and a vision from God. But when he said, “Gentile,” they were ready to kill him. Literally. Think about this: these Jewish opponents of Jesus recited the Shema, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength,” every day with their families for their whole lives. They believed they loved God. But their love for the God whose glory fills the whole earth had not changed their prejudices against Gentiles.
God stubbornly refuses to inhabit the boxes we make for him. In fact, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. So his love is not a zero sum. He loves Jews. He loves Gentiles. Carefully consider with me, is there anyone we do not yet love? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you. Bob Goff wrote, “Every time I wonder who I should love and for how long I should love them, God continues to whisper to me: ‘Everyone, always.’” The God of the Bible is not for sale and cannot be contained in a paper sack. You want God? You get love. Love for everyone. Go ahead. Let it explode your soul and disturb your sleep, transform you and give you a new birth. Our infinite God doesn’t come in any other quantity.
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Pray with me:
Father, God of infinite, undying love, thank you for loving us no matter what. Remind us again that your love is not a zero sum. Since our love comes from you who first loved us, help us not to be parsimonious with our love this week. Let us love as you have loved us, fully, freely, inexhaustibly. We pray in the name of Jesus who embodies love. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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