Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 9:28-29 (New Living Translation)

28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him.

Paul had tormented and killed Christians. God changed Paul. It was difficult for Christians to believe Paul was changed. I understand that hesitance. Anyways, Paul was back in Jerusalem with the original apostles. He was preaching. He, being a smart and educated man, debated with some other educated (they spoke Greek) Jews.

These educated Jews tried to murder Paul.

Stop. Wait a minute. They tried to murder Paul. This wasn’t an idea they discussed. This wasn’t a plot uncovered by the police and prevented. This was actually attempted murder. This would get your attention.

We aren’t told of the attempt or of the means. Was it poison? Put a deadly snake in your belongings? Cut the break lines in your chariot? Just kidding on that last one, but that’s a common one in today’s mysteries.

I know the story of Paul. He persecuted the church. He was changed. He had four missionary journeys. He wrote a dozen or so letters that appear in the New Testament. He was ship wrecked. And on and on. This book of Acts of the Apostles records much of his life. His letters add more to the (hi)story. Yet, we have no details of this attempted murder. It just passes us in a little phrase at the end of a sentence.

This is near the beginning of Paul’s ministry or service to God. This would dissuade most of us from continuing. Paul, however, kept going. A little murder didn’t scare him away. Why not? What was it that pushed him forward?

I have troubles and woes in my life. Not really, but some days I complain foolishly. No one has ever tried to murder me. I think that holds for all of us. Come on. Stop wallowing in self pity. Thank you God, and help me in my unbelief.