Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 13:39 (New Living Translation)

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

Paul is speaking to an audience of people who have gathered around a governor named Felix. This is a long story about Paul being arrested and making a long, time-consuming journey to Rome. Paul is accused of being a troublemaker and a ringleader of troublemakers who tried to desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem. Oh, by the way, the Romans built that Temple for the Jews.

Paul responds. He is a devoted Jew, just like his accusers are devoted Jews. He is also a member of the Way. A new group of people who believe that this fellow from Nazareth was sent by God to save the world.

Paul says that it is not either or, it is both and. Paul is both a devoted Jew and a believer in Jesus as the Christ.

Both-and is hard to swallow in some cases. I like both meat and vegetables. Well, okay. I like both Alabama and LSU (fill in your case of rivals). Well, that one is a little harder to accept. I am both a devoted Jew and a believer in Jesus as the Christ. STOP RIGHT THERE! Nope, that one is not acceptable to these people described here.

Today? We have people stating that they are both this and that. Do we accept the statement? As shown above, sometimes yes and sometimes no. We draw a line somewhere. It is not possible to be both-and in some cases. At least, I say so. I can be both loving and exclusionary. I can both love a person and hate what they are doing. Can’t I?

This becomes complicated quickly. Words often fail me at the critical moment. Please God, help me.