6 June 2014
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
One theme of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles is how Jesus becomes Lord. Against many contrary claimants to the throne, Jesus is established Lord by his Father in heaven. In order for this to happen, however, the gospel must be brought to the king of earthly kings, to the Rome of the Caesars. This is precisely the task which Paul accomplishes.
But Paul accomplishes his task in the most counter-intuitive way possible. He does not reach Rome until he has been accused, captured, and tried by his enemies. What appears on the face to be worldly disaster, becomes the greatest triumph in the designs of providence. Yes, persecution and opposition await—the Holy Spirit has told him as much—but through this suffering, Christ will be made known to the earth’s ends. Let us also look more to the task given than to our immediate returns. Let Jesus be the Lord of our lives.