Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 26
12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’
15 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’
12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’
15 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’
Commentary:
26:13 The light from heaven is the brightness of God’s glory (cf. 22:6), as in Ezek. 1:26–28 and Rev. 1:16.
26:14 The Hebrew language most likely refers to Aramaic (see ESV footnote; also note on 22:2). To kick against the goads is a proverbial statement the Romans probably knew, meaning that one cannot ultimately resist God’s will. Goads were sharp sticks used to prod oxen, and if the oxen kicked in resistance, the drivers would keep them in line by using the goads more severely.
26:14 The Hebrew language most likely refers to Aramaic (see ESV footnote; also note on 22:2). To kick against the goads is a proverbial statement the Romans probably knew, meaning that one cannot ultimately resist God’s will. Goads were sharp sticks used to prod oxen, and if the oxen kicked in resistance, the drivers would keep them in line by using the goads more severely.
Questions:
- In verse 12, Paul, once again, shares his testimony of his conversion on the road to Damascus. He presents the gospel to them, explaining how God can open anyone's eyes to the truth, how they can go from darkness to light and experience the forgiveness that God offers. The result of being set free from darkness and bondage to the devil is called JUSTIFICATION. Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which He (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in His sight. As we are justified by God, we are also then ADOPTED. Adoption is an act of God whereby He makes us members of His family. What all do you think being adopted into God's family entail? How amazing is it that not only are your sins not counted against you, but Jesus' righteousness is attributed to you at the same time?
- In verse 14, Jesus tells Paul it is useless to fight against His will. The term used here in the original language comes from a phrase, "kicking against the goads." In ancient times, a goad was a long stick with a point at the end that they would use to poke and prod an ox to get it to go where they wanted to. Sometimes the animal would fight and kick back against the goad, which would cause an injury to it. Jesus says, you're fighting a battle you can't win! Have you ever been in a situation where you were fighting against the will of God instead of submitting to it? Could you be there now?
Pray:
- That you would remember today that you were bought with a price.
- That you would surrender to the will of God on your life today.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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