Sept 12th | To Live Is Christ
Summary
One of the less obvious undertones in Luke’s narrative in Acts…particularly with respect to Paul… are the Jesus-parallels. Once you begin to uncover them – it becomes obvious. Like when I’m staring dumbly into the pantry looking for the peanut butter, when my wife calmly let’s me know, “It’s a blue lid now, not red.” And bingo! There it is – right in front of my nose. Here are a few parallels Luke subtly includes…
It is revealed at Paul’s conversion that he will suffer.
There is a miraculous healing preceding his “final” journey
Paul declares his intention to follow the same geographic path as Jesus (Jerusalem/Rome)
In both settings he anticipates similarly harsh treatment to that of Jesus
In Paul’s final days with his beloved Ephesian elders we get glimpse of Paul’s heart (or is it Jesus’ heart) of sacrifice and humility. Many years from then Paul will still be resting/struggling with this sentiment.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Paul quite literally gave up his life upon conversion. He no longer willingly followed the natural course of life or the natural tendencies within. He also held loosely to everything that was his – it all took on new value (rubbish in fact).
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
But nothing stopped him from moving forward under the direction of, in the power of and even under the warnings of…the Holy Spirit. He let go of self, and kept moving – no matter what.
Paul was a “dead man walking.” Are you?
Application
1) Paul says to imitate him. He was imitating Jesus, uh, oh. What of Paul’s life challenges you in the way you are or are not imitating him?
2) Is the Holy Spirit compelling you to hold loosely to something or someone?
3) Is there a journey that comes complete with probable difficulty or pain that is clearly yours to walk?
