David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 21:17b-26

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.

When I was in Utah, and among the Mormons I made appoint of drinking coffee in public. It was my own little demonstration of freedom in Christ. I was showing that the Mormon “Word of Wisdom” that prevented them from drinking coffee did not apply to me. I’m not certain I was right in that practice; it may well have felt to them like a poke in the eye. On the other hand, when we made a point of dressing modestly and abstaining from alcohol among the Christians in Kenya I am certain that was the right thing to do. We didn’t want to offend them by our manner of dress or behavior.

I 1 Corinthians 9, Paul writes, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.” On this occasion, he is doing what he describes there: he was agreeing to show his respect for and observance of the Jewish Law. Why here  and why now? On another occasion Paul had circumcised Timothy. Prior to that, however, he had refused to circumcise Titus. Now he observes the Law. But in Galatians Paul makes a point of saying, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does notabide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Galatians 3:10-11).

Matthew Henry’s commentary notes: “Those that are weak in the faith are to be borne with, when those that undermine the faith must be opposed.” On this occasion Paul agrees to the plan of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. He will undertake a Jewish ceremonial observance to show that he lived in observance of the law. This plan did not work as they had hoped; the next day the Jews from Asia will incite a riot and the mob will try to kill Paul (cf. the rest of the Acts 21).

But Paul didn’t do this in order that the plan would work. He had come to Jerusalem against all advice, knowing that people there would seek to kill him. He knew what it was like, also, to be zealous for the Law. He was willing to forsake the Jewish Law in his pursuit of the Mission of God among the Gentiles. He was willing to agree to this plan so as not to undercut his work with the Gentiles. But all this had less to do with Jews and Gentiles than it had to do with Christ. He knew that we are all saved by grace through faith. He knew the observance of the Law would not save him or anyone else. He knew Christ had done that perfectly, and sought at all costs to bring the gospel to people and people to the gospel.

When I think of going the extra mile with one person or another, my ultimate motive is to honor Christ. That means my actions of restraint or long-suffering are less tied to my assessment of a person’s worth, and related more to Christ’s love for all people and his desire that all people be saved. If by refusing to drink coffee I could actually have a better chance of bring a Mormon to faith, I would refuse. If I need to show respect the traditions of long-time church members so as not to undercut my unconventional ministry to a group of non-conformists, I would do it. The key for me is understanding that I am doing all this for Christ.

How far? And for whom? If I am following Jesus, the answer is: the whole path of my life, wherever he leads me. And when I fall off the path, I thank God that he picks me up and puts me back on the path and we continue to walk together in mission, and in the confidence of Christ’s salvation.