Acts 21:17-26
The media loves to catch high profile
people doing something wrong. When it happens, it’s like a feeding frenzy.
They’re like a bunch of piranha attacking their victim. They’re like a pit bull
that bites and won’t let go. You get the idea. It’s happened to preachers,
athletes, politicians, coaches and a NBA owner. They are caught in the act.
In this passage Paul arrives in
Jerusalem. If you remember, he had originally made plans to go to Jerusalem
while he was still over 600 miles away in Ephesus. The next day following his
arrival he goes to visit with James and the elders. He shares with them how God
has been working in the lives of Gentiles. They praise God with him for all
that is happening. But then something odd occurs.
They point out how “thousands of Jews have believed, and all of
them are zealous for the law”. Then they mention that rumors have spread
that Paul has been teaching “the Jews who
live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses”. Their solution is that
Paul proves this isn’t true by participating in the rites of purification with
four others; and Paul does it! Does this strike you as inconsistent, if not
wrong?
Jesus said, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of
the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness”. Luke 11:39
“Look,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1”29
“All
the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43
These verses tell us that Jesus
provided for our purification. He strongly confronted the Pharisees for using
and manipulating the law for their own benefits. So how can Paul go through the
rites of purification in good conscience? Was he caught in the act?
To be honest, I don’t have a
clear-cut answer. After all, Paul may have been the most influential Christian
during the first century. He spread the Gospel throughout the region. He wrote
most of what later became the New Testament. Even today, God uses his words in
our lives. But he wasn’t perfect either.
Whatever the case may be, God has
used all kinds of people throughout history to bring His redemption to others.
Whether it was a liar like Jacob or an adulterer like David or a murderer like
Moses or a loud mouth like Peter or Paul or you or me – God’s message marches
on.
Whether we are caught in the act or
not, we are a part of God’s plan of redemption. All we need to do is make
ourselves available for Him to use.
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