As we continue to study Acts on Wednesday nights, I’ve been intrigued by the similarities between Jesus and Paul. Obviously, Paul was very Christ-like in his character…but they also had very similar “death marches” to Jerusalem. In Matthew 16, Jesus told his disciples that his ultimate destination was Jerusalem, where He would be killed. “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” Matthew 16:21 (NASB) The reaction from Peter was surprising in an almost humorous kind of way. He REBUKES Jesus! Can you imagine, taking God Incarnate aside and trying to “talk some sense into Him?” But that is exactly what Peter does: “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’” Matthew 16:22-23 (NASB) Peter’s rebuke got turned on himself as Jesus put him in his place. Jesus’ death was God’s plan, and Peter needed to understand that.
Paul’s march to Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 20-21 is similar in some ways to Jesus. Paul had made it clear that Jerusalem was his destination and that bad things would happen when he got there. Acts 19:21 tells us that Paul “purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.” When he gets to Miletus and calls for the Ephesian Elders to meet him, he makes this declaration: "And now, behold, bound by the Spirit , I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.”--Acts 20:22-23 (NASB) Paul was headed for Jerusalem and it wouldn’t be pretty when he got there. In fact, as Paul journeyed there, he was given “prophecies” from other Christians that he would be “bound and handed over” when he got to Jerusalem (see Acts 21:11). Interestingly, the Christians response to Paul was a little different than Peter’s response to Jesus. The Christians pleaded with Paul NOT to go to Jerusalem. They KNEW that Paul was right and that his arrest and possible death awaited him in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had revealed it. Paul had declared it. And the church was going to have to accept it. Notice this exchange that took place between Paul and the church at Caesarea: “Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, ‘The will of the Lord be done!’”--Acts 21:13-14 (NASB) Paul was fearless and bold. But why? How was he able to be so brave in the face of imminent death?
There was once another Apostle who faced the prospect of death in Jerusalem. Peter, who had earlier rebuked Jesus, declared that he too was ready to go with Jesus and be imprisoned or die in Jerusalem with him. “Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!’”--Luke 22:33 (NASB) BUT, we all know how that one turned out, don’t we? Peter, in one of the most famous denials in history, denied 3 TIMES on that same night that he even KNEW Jesus…much less followed him. When the fists started flying……Peter wilted like a month-old daisy. Why is that?
I think as you look at the situations involving Peter and Paul, you see a rather stark contrast. Paul was like Jesus. He was brave, he was fearless, he didn’t back down, and when the time came to GO to Jerusalem….he WENT. But Peter talked BIG, and then chickened out. So what’s the difference between Paul and Peter? Shall we just say, that Paul was brave and Peter was a coward? OR…shall we say the Holy Spirit had something to do with it?
Peter’s meltdown occurred PRIOR TO the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). In fact it’s quite a fascinating case study to watch Peter BEFORE he received the Holy Spirit and AFTER he received the Holy Sprit. Pre-Pentecost Peter was brash, outspoken, and maybe even arrogant. No doubt he loved Jesus….but his actions didn’t always measure up to his boastful claims. He was notorious for “putting his foot in his mouth”…..and he was hardly the type of guy you would want leading a church. But, Post-Pentecost Peter was a completely different man. As you read through the early chapters of Acts you see a man who had been broken and humiliated by his denial of Christ….and a man who has been amazingly empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the world. Peter NOW boldly preached the gospel. Peter NOW stood up to the Jews. Peter NOW went to prison for Christ. And eventually, Peter DID follow Jesus to a cross. According to church tradition, Peter was crucified upside down on a cross, not feeling himself worthy to be killed in the same way as Jesus. Of course Jesus foretold that Peter would one day be crucified (John 21:18). But at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter was still a bit of a “Chicken Christian” without the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power. He wanted to die for Jesus….but he wasn’t ready yet.
The reason Paul was so brave….and Peter was so brave after Pentecost….was because they NOW had the Holy Spirit within them. Don’t you wish that Christians today could also have the Holy Spirit? Wouldn’t it be neat if 21st century Christians had access to the Holy Spirit the same way Peter and Paul did? OH WAIT!....WE DO! The very same Holy Spirit that gave courage to the Apostles--lives within all true Christians today. Granted, we don’t always follow the Spirit’s leading….and we’re still capable of being unfaithful cowards….but a wise old man once said we’ve been given “everything we need for life and godliness” so we have no excuses for denying our Lord and fearfully avoiding the suffering that may await us. That wise old man knew FROM EXPERIENCE what he was talking about. You see….he was a courageous Preacher, who had once been a spiritually worthless underling from a town called Bethsaida. Do you want to know his name? His friends called him Cephas……but Jesus called him……Peter. Jesus told him he would one day be “a rock”…..but first he would need the Holy Spirit to indwell him…and the Holy Spirit DID! The Holy Spirit changed Peter from a cowardly pebble….to a bold and Godly ROCK. The Holy Spirit changed Paul from a legalistic, murderous Jew, to a loving and courageous Apostle…..and The Holy Spirit can change you and me too. Apart from God, we’re all just sinners and cowards….but when the Holy Spirit gets a hold of us….we become something else. We have the power to be a true witness. We have the power to follow Christ. We have the power to courageously speak the truth……AND (like it or not)….we have the power to unflinchingly DIE in the face of fierce opposition. Paul did. Peter did. One day….you may too. You may not be called upon to die as a martyr. But then again you may. Either way, just like the Apostles, you have the Holy Spirit to see you through…and God can be glorified in your life and in your death. Be thankful for the Holy Spirit. And be courageous because of Him. Our world doesn’t need anymore “Chicken Christians”….we already have enough of those. We need Christians who understand the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives….and go out into the world following Christ whole-heartedly because of it. The Holy Spirit can change anyone. Has He changed you?....And can the world see that in your life and in your witness?.......Until next time….
Comments