Devotional - March,6, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 1:18-24  Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.  I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.  I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.  Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.  I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.  They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”  And they praised God because of me.

Paul continues to chronicle his testimony.  You notice he is quite specific about it.  He is, because he wants people to know the truth.  It is one of the reasons he refers to Peter as Cephas.  Jesus nicknamed Cephas, Peter, but others knew him as Cephas.  Pauls wants to ensure his reader knows exactly who he stayed with for fifteen days.  By doing so, later readers would know that Peter had a ministry in Jerusalem for a period of time and Paul was a part of it.  Paul also references James, Jesus' brother, ministering to him there as well.  James' ministry would stay in Jerusalem.  Peter would continue onward; so too would Paul.  He goes on to sight others, but finishes out with the testimony others would say about him.  When he does this, he is not inflating his ego, he is praising God by citing what God did with him and through him.  Paul's testimony is a testimony of hope.  But notice a few things, first, Paul's testimony if a testimony about change.  Paul is on solid ground when he speaks of his education and personal achievement before coming to Christ.  He wasn't making things up.  He was at the top of his game and everyone knew it.  But when it came time to change, he humbled himself and learned.  He allowed those who knew Christ, grew up with Him, to teach him.  He knew enough to know, he did not know.  To me, that is powerful, and I believe that is why God chose him.  God knew that Paul could learn from others.  In time, he would own what he learned for himself.  He would own his entire life, warts and all.  God gave him the ability to do so.  It is the same for all of us.  We need God's help to claim the whole of our life and then live it.  I think that is necessary before we can ever really know the power of Jesus' name. 

Pray with me.., Holy God we confess we cling to illusions.  We even serve them.  Help us let go.  To know that walking with You in truth is the way.  Be with our loved ones, O God, bless them according to their needs and bless our church.  Bless us, so we can be Your people, in Jesus' name, Amen

God's peace,

Pastor Brian