Dave Dishman

Forty men swore an oath to neither eat or drink until they murdered Paul. The apostle’s preaching so angered many of the religious folks in Jerusalem they sought to silence Paul permanently. The chief priests bought into the idea and the plot took wings.

However, Paul’s nephew heard the rumor and reported it to Paul, who sent him on to the Roman authorities. They surrounded Paul with several hundred soldiers and moved him out of town. The nefarious plan failed. I always wonder if the conspirators starved to death, or renounced their vow when they got hungry?

I also wonder how Paul’s nephew heard of the scheme? Did he know some of these hot-headed young men? Was he asked to join in? Did he overhear whispered conversations in back alleys, or was he tipped off by an informant? Regardless, and despite the danger to himself, this young man flew directly to Paul with the news. He looked up to his uncle and protected him.

Had Paul been killed, we would not possess the letters he later wrote from Rome. No more Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians or Philemon. By saving Paul’s life his nephew blessed us with teachings that would have never been written. The Scriptures we possess come to us through a variety of twists and turns. The bravery of an unnamed nephew is one of the more obscure ones.

Acts 23:12-35

Photo by Lacie Cueto

Last week a spring snowstorm hit Colorado, dropping 8″ of heavy snow in our area. While the moisture is much welcomed in our drought stricken state, the storm wreaked havoc on mature trees. Dozens in our neighborhood suffered broken limbs and even split in half as the heavy snow on their fully leafed out branches pulled them apart. Roads and driveways were blocked until crews with chainsaws cleared the way. At our house we lost several branches, but our trees survived, so I’m grateful.

Immediately after the storm cleared our street filled with neighbors. A crew worked on the tree of our friend who just had her knee replaced. We live on a quiet side street with people who know each other, many of us having been in our homes for years. Checking on each other is normal. It’s nice to know we’re seen and known when storms gather.

David encourages his people in Psalm 122 to pray for the peace of Jerusalem! The seat of judgement, the home of the temple, the place of governance, Jerusalem held a special place for the nation. Peace in Jerusalem radiated out to the borders of Israel and beyond. Calmness in the City of David blessed all, those who followed the Lord and those who did not. This common grace benefited everyone.

As I think of David’s call to pray for his city, I realize I can pray for mine as well. I pray for the peace of Erie, Colorado. I pray for the peace of my neighborhood, and for blessings on my neighbors. I pray for the peace of Washington D.C. and other cities of power. David’s call to pray extends to you and me. As we pray for the peace of our towns and cities, we extend God’s grace to our neighbors whether we know them or not. As the storms gather, and they always do, pray for peace—it still benefits everyone around us.

Psalm 122:6

Photo of our neighbor’s tree during the snowstorm

When I was a student, seat assignments for basketball tickets at the University of Missouri came available on a certain evening in the fall. The first in line got the best seats. But the location was kept secret lest fans camp out days ahead (Mizzou was a top 10 program at the time). Mad for college basketball, I prepared to race across campus.

However, my roommate assured me that he had an inside track on the location. I was to wait in our room (no mobile phones at that time) until he called. Then I could run straight to the ticketing location and be one of the first in line.

The evening arrived and students started searching the campus. I heard a rumor of the location, so I split. Bad decision. The news was wrong, and as a result I missed my roommate’s call. Due to my lack of nerve, I spent the season in the upper deck. I needed a cooler head in the moment.

One gentleman in Scripture showed a cool head in a ridiculous situation. Paul preached in Ephesus and so many people converted that the local silver trade took a major hit. New followers of Jesus no longer purchased idols of Artemis, the local deity. The silversmiths started a riot that consumed the city (economics and devotion to Jesus don’t always go hand in hand). I love the description of the scene: Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

The mob didn’t know why they were there, only that something rowdy was going to happen and they wanted in (sort of like my days at Mizzou). In their midst stepped the town clerk. We don’t know his name, or if he was a follower of Jesus, but this city leader showed hutzpah. He quieted the crowd, pointed out that no law had been broken, and reminded them of the harsh punishment Roman authorities dealt out to rioters. Amazingly, he dismissed the assembly like they’d come together for a town hall meeting, and they all filed out.

A cooler head prevailed. A wonder in Ephesus, and a breath of fresh air in our day as well. I’m reminded to pray for our leaders, for calm hearts and wise decisions. Our world is a better place when cooler heads are in charge.

Acts 19:21-41

Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante

Paul was a tough guy. In one situation an angry crowd swarmed around him and beat him to the ground. An eyewitness described the scene: They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple…seeking to kill him.

Only a cohort of Roman soldiers saved Paul’s life. Remarkably, as they pulled him from the clutches of the mob, Paul asked to address the crowd. Wiping blood from his face, he delivered a speech about his conversion. Needless to say, the rabble was not impressed. They demanded Paul’s life. Whisked away by his guards, Paul escaped to teach another day.

God needed a resolute and hardened man to take the message of Jesus to the world. As a bonus, Paul came highly educated and wrote brilliantly. Physical courage and intellectual prowess characterized this most unlikely apostle.

Paul shared the secret to his boldness when he wrote to live is Christ and to die is gain. While alive he would preach Jesus, and when he died he would go be with Jesus. In his wake many would discover Jesus.

I may not possess Paul’s bravery, or compulsion to preach to hostile crowds, but I benefit today from his writings and life example. Let’s pray for more and more followers of Jesus with the brains and brawn of Paul to spread the gospel anew in our world today.

Acts 21 & 22

Photo by Jon Tyson