Today’s reading is Acts 21: 16-26

Paul says in his writings that he is all things to all people so that some may be saved (1 Corinthians 9:22).  Paul was under no obligation to go to the temple and do what he did.  He was under no obligation to pay for these men’s head to be shaved.  He didn’t have to do any of this. Yet he did. Why?

It wasn’t about him. It was about the Gospel. What could he do to allow the most people to hear the Good News? What could Paul do to avoid having his message ignored?  Going to the temple with these men and doing this thing, in the grand scheme of things is a very small deal.  Not a big deal at all.  And he didn’t have to do it. He really didn’t.

Yet he did. Because it wasn’t about him, it wasn’t about what he wanted to do, or his rights, or his likes or dislikes. It was about what would most help the Gospel.  In this time and in this place, doing these things was what was best for the Gospel. It wasn’t about him. It was about Jesus.  May we think in the same way.

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