S - Acts
9:13-16, 21:11-13 (NAS): " But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard
from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and
here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your
name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument
of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake." … And coming to us, he [Agabus] took Paul's belt and
bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit
says: `In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt
and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' “When we had heard this, we as
well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then
Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I
am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the
Lord Jesus.""
O - Why
all this attention on the name of Jesus?
Why not use gospel or message or teaching in these exchanges between
heaven and earth and between people?
What brought about transformation in Saul of Tarsus' life (and in the
entire original band of followers) was not more information, teaching or
concepts but an encounter with a Resurrected Person. The concepts and principles of Jesus are not
Jesus and they have no power or authority.
They do not save us, love us or protect and shepherd us … Jesus does all
this and more. We are not saved by the
blood or the cross … we are saved by Jesus; it is his blood and his cross. Paul will not go to Jerusalem for a cause,
concept or religion. He will go for only one reason … a Person.
A - I
was not/am not called to a worldview, principle, cause or promise. I am called to a Person and he said
"Follow me." It is such a privilege to know him and to be simply and
directly charged to carry his name to all people and their kings/leaders. Jesus
(and all of heaven) has loved me first, most and refuses to change his
mind. I am ready (ἑτοίμως: prepared to receive someone and/or to
do something) to love him back and follow … no matter what!
P - Lord
who wants and loves us,
Thank you for calling us to
your name because we are called to your person.
You don't want us to live for you but in you. You don't want us to work for you but with
you. You don't want us to know about you
but to know you in the fellowship of your sufferings and the power of your
resurrection. Today, Sovereign Strong, I
am ready. I am not ready by strength or
superior positioning. I am ready
according to love … because you have set your affection on me/us and refuse to
change your mind. Lord Jesus, today I will
carry your name and stay near.
Following because of love,
Steve
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