We began from a dream of beloved relationship in a sinless paradise. But then our security met with unexpected interruption when our eyes opened to a scene east of Eden.
There we discovered dependence on prayer and seeking the Lord’s direction.
- What if there is no escape from this misdirected chaotic place, even from a prison of isolation not of our making?
Our own prayer as one after God’s own heart longingly pleas:
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
Psalm 25:16
For I am lonely and afflicted.
Prayer, and then.. ?
Jesus illustrates how prayer’s persistent knocking will guarantee relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.
I illustrated what it must have been like for our beloved friend David who awake to the knock of a friend.
Luke || on the Lord’s Prayer
You may read it again in the link above.
Luke does not tell us anything from Jesus’ parable about the man who journeyed many miles to meet his friend late in the day. But you know him.
Most know Luke’s second scroll from which today I will take our illustration of a pilgrim with frequent traveler credentials.
Acts of Good News
He had an encounter with with the Risen Christ Jesus, then journeyed the rest of his mortal life from place to place teaching the Gospel to beloved friends in distant lands.
Saul of Tarsus – Breaking through Social Boundaries
- How can we be in relationship with our beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord when we will not break the virtual bonds of artificial relations?
Saul of Tarsus was a socially connected leader of traditional religion and traditional values imprisoned by his zeal for righteousness of others; that is, until the Lord Jesus called him along a road to Damascus as an Apostle.
Paul preached the Gospel from prisons to public squares.
Acts of the Apostles:
Saul (Hebrew name) or Paul (Greek name) encountered more social distancing by way of imprisonment and avoidance of former friends determined to kill him than any of us ever will. The instances are too numerous to mention here.
- [They] instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. – 13:50
- .. the crowds .. stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. –14:19
- [leading businessmen of the town] .. seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities… But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.. – 16:19b,25
||| — A.D. 2021 — | | | – Now what?
- Prayer to the Father.
- the Lord Jesus taught us that
- Read God’s Word and open your heart to the Holy Spirit.
- Reach out to fellow believers in faith, as so often the Apostle did by letter from prison.
- and finally,
- when you are released from your prison,
- like Paul:
- GO to those brothers and sisters,
- who with you are members of Christ’s body the Church, beloved friends on a journey who love you and embrace the Good News.
Paul calls himself ‘a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.’ + Romans 1:1
He confesses that he is ‘called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.’ 1 Corinthians 1:1
- Are you willing to be a slave of Christ rather than a leader of the worldly?
- Like Saul of Tarsus can you admit that your own zealous works are nothing without confirmation of the will of God?
The Apostle writes a second time to the Church at Corinth:
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
2 Corinthians 10:1
We should be so meek and gentle as Christ in our love for each other and also with those distanced from genuine relationship.
It’s more than just virtual Good News.
Walk in love as Christ has walked with us, releasing us unchained from the prison of our loneliness east of Eden.
Amen.
Will you encourage a prisoner?
Won’t you imitate Paul and take just a moment to add your brief letter?
It’s simple to encourage a brother in the Lord by way of your comment below.
Like the Apostle, I hope to greet you in person once we are released.
Christ’s servant,
Roger @talkofJesus.com
