Risk in the Gospel

December 16, 2019

DAILY READINGS

Acts 21:17-26
This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

FIELD NOTES

There is always a measure of risk when we decide to live fully into the mission God has called us into. In today’s scripture, we see Paul, returning to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Paul tells the elders of the church about all that God is doing, converting the Gentiles to faith in Jesus, and there is celebration.

But there is also wariness. Remember, the Jerusalem church was largely made up of Jewish converts; they still practiced the purification rituals and the Jewish law. There was a suspicious attitude towards what Paul was doing with the Gentiles, and there was a disbelief among many of the Jewish Christians that God would want to save the Gentiles. There were even unfounded rumors being spread about Paul that he was encouraging Jews to abandon the law.

What we learn from this passage is that even when we know we are called by God to spread the love of Christ in our community and to the world, there will always be those that question our motives and tactics. Often, those suspicions will come from those we least expect. This doesn’t mean we should take up a defensive posture, however! It means that we will be challenged to love all people who God puts in our lives.

There is always risk in believing in the gospel. There is always misunderstanding in following Jesus. Dedicate your heart and life this day to overcoming all with love.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What risks for the gospel are you being called to take at this season in your life?
• How will you respond to those that question your call?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• As a family, talk about positive and loving ways to respond to those that do not treat you with respect and kindness.

PRAYER GUIDE

Gracious and loving God, you call us out to do big things in your name, but there often seem to be many obstacles. Give us the perseverance to overcome all things so that we might be more than conquerors.