“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.’”
- Acts 23:11
Things have been crazy in Jerusalem in these last couple of chapters. Chaos almost appears to be working ahead of wherever Paul travels. Or the Jews are simply strongly opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. To give you a snapshot of where we are at now, Paul went to Jerusalem against the warnings of many people. While in Jerusalem Paul visits the temple and does a ceremony to reveal how he has not abandoned the Law for himself, but simply advocates first for Christ. Well, some of the Jews from Asia who were there did not see it the same, and they caused a ruckus that would lead to Paul’s arrest. Paul is thought to be an Egyptian revolutionary by the Roman who arrested him, but proves he isn’t and is allowed to speak to the people. Paul reveals his testimony of meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, but the problem comes when he says his mission is to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Jews did not like that and caused commotion once again. So the Roman Tribune has Paul taken to the barracks for flogging and questioning, only to find out Paul, having been born in Cilicia, is a Roman Citizen and to be flogged would be an injustice. After some further unproductive meetings between Paul, the Tribune (who is now trying to protect Paul), and the Jewish Council of Elders; Paul gets sent off to Governor Felix in Caesarea to escape a plot on his life which would likely result in a Jewish-Roman war in Jerusalem. In the midst of all this, Paul, resting in the barracks in Jerusalem is encountered by Christ once again. Jesus’ words to him…
Jerusalem -> Rome:
As we have been walking through Acts, we have been able to journey with the early church from its sending by Jesus, infilling with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and as it has dispersed from Jerusalem to Antioch, toward Ethiopia, and throughout the Roman world. Paul’s journeys have been more specifically looked at throughout Acts, but now he will embark on one last journey. He will be guarded, yet far from safe, as it will be the most perilous journey he will make for Christ, and there will be no return to any church he has planted and be cut off from Jerusalem. He’s heading to Rome.
Every step of the way Paul has kept the same purpose and message. He has preached and planted nothing but Christ and His Kingdom. A message of redemption has been flowing throughout the Roman world and beyond because of people like Paul, and that tradition is carried forth in those who believe in Jesus Christ today. The gospel has always been a dynamic and moving act of the church to the world, to be traveled and spoken to others. It is about testifying to the truth of Christ to a world that lives in lies and pains. It's about sharing with them the redemptive possibilities their lives can have if they were to come to Christ and be saved. It’s about progressively expanding the Kingdom of God on earth through those who believe until it comes in its fullness with Christ’s return.
Take Courage:
Courage is something we all need a little bit more of when it comes to the gospel, and some of us just life in general.
Yet, before we dive into courage, I want to address fear and insecurity. Often Christians will go to a text that says, “do not be afraid,” and then broadly make an application we should never be afraid, implying even feeling fear or insecurity is wrong. They may say it is not a sin, but they still have a tough and rugged idea we should never be afraid of. This approach, in my mind, dismisses the common human experience of being afraid or insecure. In dismissing it they provide no way to navigate these normal and natural tendencies but simply and improperly tell the person, “have faith,” or “do not be afraid.”
The problem is this… Fear and insecurity is a normal and natural thing in life and we all have to try to navigate it, not bury it under good intending phrases and ideals. Also, most of the time in scripture where that command to “not be afraid” is given, it's being given by God, God’s angels, or another God designated spokesperson. It’s a message of God is with you and that means you have no reason to fear, a message that is often never given to someone who is truly afraid and insecure. Instead, we communicate a message of “buck up.”
Jesus is not telling Paul, “buck up.” Jesus is assuring Paul that His purposes will be accomplished. That the gospel will be communicated in Rome, and so Paul then has no reason to fear for his life. This courage and comfort have to be divinely given and personally received. While we can always remind each other of God’s faithfulness and comforting love, encouraging one another in our callings, we cannot provide the same certainty that Jesus can.
Fears and insecurities need to be brought to God, for there is little we can do for one another beyond walking alongside our peers and trying to encourage. But God can bring real change and transform our fears into hopes, and our insecurities into strengths. We must help one another go to God, not just “have faith.”
So perhaps my title is misleading, for I cannot be the one to tell you to take courage. Lest I tell you to “buck up” which is far off from my personality to do so. Instead, seek Christ, humbly bring your fears, worries, and insecurities to Him, and listen. Wrestle with the weakness and bring it to Christ ready to faithfully receive whatever He gives you back.
Final Blessing:
Spiritual disciplines such as reading scripture and prayer are key avenues to both take things to God and also humbly listen to the Spirit speak back to you. The Spirit of God is a comforter, not one to tell you, “buck up.” But when God tells you, “take courage” you can find assurance in His faithfulness to you, in whatever you are wrestling through.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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