Take A Look Around

The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.) [Acts 21.27-29]

As it was with Jesus, so it was with the Apostle Paul. It was religious people who were responsible for their suffering.

It seems prudent to me to conclude that our greatest suffering and persecution today will most likely come from those of whom we should be part.

Take a look around!

Father, help us to understand that persecution comes from close around in most cases. Help us to understand that the true Gospel Message will likely alienate us even from those with whom we should have the most in common...