Acts
28:16-31
In 1977 the movie Star Wars made this
quote famous, even iconic. It brought characters like Han Solo, Leia Solo,
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Yoda into our
daily lives. It was a classic battle between good and evil.
Paul has been involved in a classic
battle between good and evil. Having gone on three long term missionary trips
to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, he has faced violent
opposition that included riots, being run out of town, flogging, threats to his
life and being ship-wrecked.
Hollywood likes a happy ending. They
like it when the good guy rides off into the sunset with the girl. They like it
when the good guys catch the bad guys and send them off to jail. They like it
when good is victorious over evil like in Star Wars. But life doesn’t always
happen that way.
When the book of Acts ends, there is
no clear winner. On the one hand Paul is relatively free to share the Gospel
and does so for two years. But on the other hand, he is under house arrest and
cannot leave his residence.
Hollywood would rather have Acts end
like the movie Rocky when he comes out of nowhere to become the world champion
boxer. Our natural instinct is to wish for Paul to be the underdog that has
been continually beaten down by the system, but rises victoriously while leading
thousands of people to Christ.
However, our life is more like Paul’s
in that sometimes there is no clear victory. We struggle to change and to become
more like Jesus. We struggle to follow Jesus no matter what. We struggle to
serve Jesus in all that we do. We struggle to give up control of our lives and
surrender to Jesus.
May the force of the Holy Spirit be
with you as you struggle to change, to follow, to serve and to surrender control
of your life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Amen.
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