Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
It sounds so anti-climatic, doesn’t it? Paul, the greatest Biblical Evangelist, goes to Corinth, has a normal job, and only ‘discusses’ the incredible belief in Jesus on the Sabbath in the synagogue. Alone in a strange city, perhaps Paul believed that was the most effective witness possible. What do you believe is the best way for you to evangelize? The good thing about Paul’s method is, it didn’t result in opposition and revilement. Of course, we have no record of how effective it was either- no converts are recorded in this story. Was Paul wasting his time? Later, after he gave up convincing his Jewish brothers and sisters and went to the gentiles, more people came to believe and received baptism.
In our empirical and economic culture, it is easy to rely on numbers to tell the story. But as any nurturing parent will tell you, there is no use qualifying faithful care of children. In the same way, we cannot scientifically demonstrate what style of evangelization is the best. What matters is whether or not we are faithful to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Paul was faithful, as were his companions Titus, Silas, Crispus, and Timothy. How has the Spirit been directing you this week? Are you being invited to have more discussions about Jesus? Does the Spirit want you to occupy yourself entirely with preaching the word? Or are you called to keep doing what you’ve been doing with most of your day, and dedicating a few special hours to service, prayer, or some other good work? Take time to listen to God’s voice today.
We sometimes believe it is entirely our job to spread the gospel, but as the psalm says, ‘the Lord has made salvation known to all the nations.’ Of course we still are called to witness, but if we fail, ‘even the rocks will cry out.’
The disciples, even with Jesus being bodily present, were confused about what Jesus’s words meant. Perhaps that is why, after the Ascension, Jesus sends us the Spirit. The Spirit will help us to understand everything. Let us take time today to listen to that still, small voice. It was guiding Paul in Corinth, it was guiding the psalmist, and it is one with Jesus. As the final weeks of the Easter season conclude, may our joy be complete as we witness to God’s transforming salvation.
- Chris Nieport