Take Courage! Go.

Several years ago I traveled quite a bit on business. I had been in Chicago for three days and arrived back at my desk on Friday, exhausted, looking forward to the weekend. About mid-morning my boss called with some news, “Hey Mark, you need to be in London on Monday.”


Ugh! No rest for me. I had to go!


In today’s story, Acts 22:30-23:11, Paul may have felt a bit like I did. He had just completed his third missionary trip and was in Jerusalem when the Lord told him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”


No rest for Paul. He had to go.

Paul’s testimony throughout his journey was a blend of joy and sorrow. He was persecuted and chased out of many towns, yet he had joy in the strength that other believers brought him.

 

In Jerusalem, Paul was jailed, was almost flogged and was at risk of being “torn to pieces” by the Sanhedrin. Paul must have wondered what acts of harassment would greet him in Rome.



Mamertine Prison
Paul's "Home" in Rome

Today’s story does not explicitly tell us that Paul prayed about his situation. The Book of Acts, however, tells us that Paul frequently prayed with others about the mission Christ gave him. Perhaps the words of comfort, “Take courage!” were an answer to one of his many prayers.

Many Christians in the world today are physically persecuted. Living in the United States, we are blessed with a much safer environment. We may think that the mission field is elsewhere in unfriendly lands, but the truth is, there are many in our neighborhoods that need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It can be difficult to witness to a neighbor or friend when you are not accustomed to it. Yet that is what we are asked to do for Christ. We know we won’t get “torn to pieces”, flogged or jailed. Perhaps we are afraid of being rejected.

Take courage! Go.

Paul did.