Being Chained

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

BEING CHAINED

Acts 28:17-20

17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar — not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

NIV

Although this is Paul giving an account of the events that led to him being in Rome and with these brothers, that is something that strikes a cord within us. First, the fact that even though his people found a reason, even if it was their own made-up reason, to bring charges against Paul, he felt at peace and did not field any charges against them. So often in our modern culture, and yes, even in the church, we find ourselves using that age-old tic-for-tat method. That is if someone makes any disparaging words directed toward us, we try to find a way to disparage them if nothing else by inferring they have no room to judge or field any charges against us. Paul would not forward any charges against his own people although they wanted him dead. The second, and most important message in this passage is how Paul takes about the reason he is in chains is the hope of Israel. This hope of Israel is Jesus, although when he came, as they hoped he would, they refused to believe he was the long-awaited Messiah and moved against him, ultimately having the Romans kill their hope, Jesus. We wonder whether we consider ourselves in chains for the cause of Christ. It is a fact that Jesus has set us free, but that is from the chains of sin and its penalty, death. However, at the same time, we know that we are not free to live in any manner that we desire. We certainly cannot go on willfully committing any sin we desire, for, in fact, we should not even desire to sin, even if we do fail, for it is surely true we will attain perfection this side of heaven. Yet, have we submitted our will to Christ as if we were chained to the gospel. Maybe we should put our old dead selves in chains that cannot be broken. However, at the same time, we might well consider ourselves willingly chained to Christ.