“When in Rome,” what do you do? Melanie, Casey and I went there some years ago. After an amazing time in Athens, we were honestly underwhelmed by Rome. Our ride forgot to pick us up. The famous fountains were dry. These oversights led us to a special meal which ended up being, how shall I put it, not very special. If you want to go to Rome, I am probably the wrong person to ask for advice.
At least twice in his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul mentioned how he wanted to come and see them. Unfortunately, he had always been hindered. After describing a terrible storm and shipwreck, Luke tells us Paul was even bitten by a snake. Locals waited for him to die, thinking he was a murderer. When he didn’t die, they thought he was a god. Clearly the Island of Malta needed the gospel. God authenticated Paul’s message by healing the sick on the Island. Finally, God enabled Paul to make it safely to Rome. We can envision the friends mentioned in Romans 16 coming out to greet him.
What exactly did Paul do in Rome? He preached. First he appealed to the local synagogue members. Then he began to preach to the Gentiles in the city. Under house arrest with a Roman guard, Paul filled the city with the good news of Jesus. What was that good news? In Imperial Rome, where the emperor sat on the throne, Paul preached that Jesus is King and Lord. He who had been hindered from getting to Rome preached the gospel unhindered.
When in Houston, what shall we do? We should tell our city that Jesus Christ is both Lord and King. This is what we have to offer our world. We cannot force other people to become more moral. Nor can we control the actions of every government official. Praise God, we are unhindered in telling our city and our country and our world that Jesus Christ is the king of the Kingdom of God and is Lord of all. Let’s do that until our King comes for us.
