Jesus On Stand By

This morning found me continuing on in the Book of Acts, chapter 23. Having read this story many times, there is a temptation to sort of gloss over it. Most of us who read the Bible over and over have probably been there. This section seems to be more of a historical record of Paul and his dealings with those who wanted him arrested and even dead. Interesting story but for a student like myself, who looks deeply at the scriptures for the spiritual applications it gives, it’s easy to think there really isn’t much to glean out of this passage.

 

But that is a mistake. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

 

If nothing else is gleaned from this chapter, there is one key verse that must pierce our soul and our spirit. Read.

 

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

 

Paul is in the midst of a difficult trial and his very life is at risk. And Jesus stood by Him. Paul is simply to stay faithful to be the witness God has called him to be and he can know, that Jesus is with him and he must take courage.

 

This is a Biblical truth that each and every one of us must lay hold of. We must testify to the facts of the resurrection. As Easter approaches it is a reminder of the resurrection. And if we are Christ’s, then we too, have been resurrected.

 

Romans 6:3-5

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

 

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

 

We have been born again unto new life. We are witnesses to His resurrection by being witnesses to our own resurrection into new life in Christ.

When we share that witness, Jesus stands by us and we can take courage, just as Paul did in Acts 23.

 

The message of Acts 23 is that God is in control, He will move things into place as needed so that we can be His witness, whether in Jerusalem, Rome, or our own hometown.

 

As Easter draws near, let us share the news of the resurrection of Jesus and how because of Him being raised from the dead, so were we. Jesus will be there standing right be your side.