6-22-2014 Acts 16:20-24
S. 20
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do
exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us
to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up
together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and
commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they
cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having
received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet
fast in the stocks.
O. Paul
and Silas are stripped, beaten and put in jail for casting out the evil spirit
of a local witch.
A. The
issue in this case was the fear that money would be lost that was derived from
the witches soothsaying. No rejoicing because of a life is set free from
oppression, no happy singing and dancing over a soul being un-chained…..just
anger and rage because “profit” is disturbed. I must remember to see the “soul”
inside the oppressed person and seek to set that soul free, even at the expense
of profit or gain.
P.
Father; remind me to look beyond the surface, into the very soul of the ones I
am ministering to. Fill me with compassion and love for the bound, chained and
lost souls. Wash my mind free of earthly values and sinful lust for money,
power and control. Help me to value each person as you do. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment