“Dec 27, 2024 - A Chosen Instrument of Mine”

Thursday, December 26, 2024

A Chosen Instrument of Mine

Reading:  Acts 9:1-22
    
    We have no record of Paul’s last moments.  Most scholars believe that he was martyred, perhaps by Nero.  Surely this did not catch him by surprise; he often speaks in his letters of the potentiality and likelihood of his martyrdom (Phil 1:20-25, 2:17; Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:10-11, 16-5:9).  It is a vivid reminder that these letters are not mere words to Paul, but an expression of a fully devoted heart.  Just as he declares himself fully willing to “share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”(Phil 3:10) and that he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church”(Col 1:24), so he seems to have done.  The events of Paul’s life put a final validating stamp on all his teaching and letters.  This man was fully sincere.

    At the end of a year in Paul’s letters, it seems fitting to return to Paul’s initial encounter with Jesus.  It is hard to overstate how disorienting it would be for him to realize that he is hearing the voice of the dead man whose followers he has been persecuting.  “And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank”(Acts 9:9).  When Ananias comes to him with a message from Jesus, it is ominous:  “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”(Acts 9:15-16).  Jesus has a mission for Paul:  to preach to the Gentiles (likely not Paul’s favorite group).  As a result of this mission and his newfound faith, he will “(suffer) the loss of all things”(Phil 3:8).  Yet he will fully fulfill Jesus’ will for him.  He will carry Jesus’ name.  He will reach the Gentiles.  And he will suffer—patiently, faithfully, repeatedly—for his connection to Jesus.

    There is great dignity in a life fully lived for Jesus.  Paul was not perfect, but he faithfully served his master to the point of death.  Paul reminds us that our past does not have to define us because God can rewrite our story.  Paul reminds us that our personal comfort is not God’s priority (and shouldn’t be ours).  Paul reminds us that true faith in Jesus may go to the grave confident that we will “attain to the resurrection from the dead”(Phil 3:11).

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One Thing to Think About:  What have I learned from this year in Paul’s letters?

One Thing to Pray For:  The steadfast, earnest, passionate faith Paul has shown me
 

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