Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today’s reading is from Galatians 1: 11-24: 

11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; 12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, 22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

 trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Today we read this section, which is in my Bible is entitled Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship.  What’s happening here is this.  An apostle in the biblical context is a very specific thing. It is someone who Jesus physically appeared to and gave a specific mission and calling. Thus, the 12 Apostles were called by Jesus for the organization and teaching of the church. But, Paul is letting us know that while he was not one of those 12, in the same way, on the Damascus Road, Jesus came to him with a mission, to take the Good News to all the Gentiles.  In the same way that Jesus had called the 12 to that mission, He had called Paul to this mission.  

Paul is letting us know that 1) he is an apostle in the same way they were 2) because of this his teaching could be trusted 3) this shows the truth of the Gospel, for while he was not taught the Gospel by the 12 he preached the same Gospel.  

God is at work in all this.  We don’t struggle with this in the same way that the original audience would have, of course, we trust Paul, he’s in the Bible. But the first folks to hear this may have been a little confused or unsure. Paul is saying, yes, you can trust me, and trust the Gospel. 

Paul shares his testimony and this is a very good thing. We should do the same. When we share about what God is doing in our lives, it helps others know about what God is doing and it also encourages us as well. When we share the Good News, our and their faith grows.  

Finally, we see Paul remind us that God has a plan. God had a plan for him before he was ever born. We can always trust God’s plan. God’s plan for our lives is always better than our dreams for our lives. God had a plan for Paul. 

And He does for you as well.  We can each trust in God’s goodness and God’s plan.  

Tomorrow we’ll look at Galatians 2: 1-10:

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