“From Jews to Gentile Governors"
Acts 23:11-35
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” [Acts 9:15-16]
One can get a feel for “how many things” Paul suffered in his letter to the Corinthians:
“I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness…” [2 Corinthians 11:23-27]
The radical thing is that these were revealed to Paul at the onset of his faith. Can you imagine? What would you do if Jesus revealed that your newfound faith came with these persecutions?
We love the part about “a chosen vessel to bear My name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel,” but not the “how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” We like the glorious things that we will do for the cause of Christ, but not the trials and tribulation, and certainly not the suffering.
Paul is a real-life example of being called, saved, changed, and used. He went from preaching Jesus to the Jews to Gentile kings. He completed the cycle; he finished his race. May we continue running and do the same.
Called. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace.” [Galatians 1:15]
Saved. “But now the righteousness of God apart from law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all, who believe.” [Romans 3:21-22]
Changed. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” [Romans 12:2]
Used. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” [Romans 12:1]
