Tuesday: Openly and Unhindered
WEEK 48
TUESDAY
OPENLY AND UNHINDERED
John 15:18-25
We are looking at the mastery of oppressive circumstances and authority. The book of Acts incarnates the spirit that went through “not somehow but triumphantly.” Christians invariably came out on the victory side of every circumstance. When the circumstance oppressed them, it only oppressed the glory out. Acts ends in a most unsatisfactory way, unlike the usual novel—with a success ending of the triumph of the hero—but with Paul in semi-imprisonment, a soldier watching him in his own rented house. But even there is this quiet ending, “he lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who carne to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered” (28:30-31 RSV). Of all things, it ends with the word “unhindered”! For seven descriptive chapters is the account of Paul’s life and activity under nothing but hindrance. For four-and-a-half years he was a Roman prisoner and more than hindered at every turn, yet the account ends with the word “unhindered.” How could Luke write that? It is absurd!
But was it? The thing Paul lived for was not physical freedom but freedom to preach. If the gospel was free to be uttered, he was free. The end of his life was accomplished. So this tame ending was a triumphant ending. He came through “not somehow but triumphantly.”
Paul had one purpose in life. He utters it in these words:
And now . . . I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:22-24 RSV)
Note “if only.” What befell him didn’t matter; but what befell the gospel, with which he was entrusted, did matter. And as the curtain goes down on this amazing human drama, we see the Grand Old Warrior fulfilling his life purpose “quite openly and unhindered.” He got through “not somehow but triumphantly.”
O Lord Jesus, I thank you that my life cannot finally be blocked, not while I am in you. For you make oppression into opportunity. Finally, “unhindered” is your word. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Little things that happen to me by the way are unimportant if only my life purpose is fulfilled.