After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
“Elections are a reflection of society, not a shaper of society.” That was the opinion of John Stonestreet on a recent World and Everything In It podcast. I think he is correct. The issues that concern me have to do with extreme pro-abortion policies, LGBTQ++ mainstreaming, and a general anti-Christian bias that our present culture seems to celebrate. We’re a long way from the days of Father Knows Best, or Leave it to Beaver.
But those days were not perfect, either. For even in those days Christmas was about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and angels getting their wings every time a bell rings. These are not as obviously evil and pervasively-immoral as today’s offerings (such as Amazon Prime’s animated 2024 depraved musical set in Hell). That said, notice anything missing from those good old days Christmas specials? Where is Jesus? Where is the Christ Child? Thank God for Charlie Brown’s Christmas special where Linus recites the Christmas story from Luke and tells Charlie, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
Today the Charlie Brown Christmas special is more of a nostalgic curiosity – not a mainstream Christmas staple. All this is to say whatever the results of the election, I don’t see much of the Christian agenda (read “Jesus’ gift of salvation and call to repentance and faith”) coming through. In either case.
I’m reminded of this in light of the comments of the Jewish leaders, “with regard to this sect [the message of Jesus] we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” This isn’t the first time that the Christian Church and Jesus’ followers have been held in low esteem. There is nothing new under the sun. And whether it’s gay rights, sexual promiscuity, unbridled greed, or discarding of traditional biblical values, we’ve been here before.
This does not stop Paul from sharing the Gospel. It did not stop the spread of Christianity. It has not thwarted the message of Jesus being shared around the world. In other words, God’s got this. Our post-Christian Church culture is much like the earliest days of the spread of the Christian faith and growth of the Christian Church. It didn’t stop Paul from witnessing to the hope of Israel fully realized in Jesus Christ.
While I do pray that our nation turns back to God’s ways and values, I pray even more that the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon the Christian Church today, and that true revival would spring forth and more and more people’s hearts would be turned back to God in repentant faith, and the Kingdom of God would come among us all. God needs no election win. He much more desires to win our hearts.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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