ACTS 28: Continue with these acts of love
So here we are on the final day of this journey through the Book of Acts – what an adventure it’s been!
I’ll provide a link to the final chapter of Acts in the NIV(UK) version, but you can of course read the chapter in whatever version you like. I’ll share another short reflection, but the important part is the last part: ACTION.
Come on, it’s the last day – go for it!
READ: Acts 28
REFLECTION: The end of Acts is not the end of the story for Paul. We leave him under house arrest in Rome, but still teaching about Jesus to anyone who will listen. Even when this one man is silenced – we don’t know how or when – others will be raised up to spread this good news. Here we are, two thousand years later, and people are still speaking about the transformational resurrection power of Jesus in their lives.
This is the never-ending story.
Bad things happen to Paul in this chapter and yet within all the bad stuff is an opportunity for others to show him unusual kindness, generous hospitality, honour and generosity. For it is within this context of hospitality, kindness, respect and generosity – love in action – that the new life of Jesus can be shared.
ACTION: Continue with these acts of love
I’ve been amazed as we’ve travelled through the Book of Acts how often our ACTION for the day has been inspired by love in action through kindness, generosity, respect and hospitality. It’s reflected in what we’ve read too in this very last chapter of Acts. Everything that Paul and the others have been able to do has been against the backdrop of caring and sharing.
I’d always assumed ACTS had meant the incredible acts of courage and healing and preaching that the followers of the Way were involved in but now I see it’s much, much broader than that. These acts are supported by acts of love. The Way is underpinned with love in action.
Love in action is as much a part of the Way as any teaching may be.
And so this is today’s challenge – to make a priority of demonstrating Jesus’ love in action this day and every day.
