Today, we see Paul begin to really see the opposition that was going to come to him. Individuals stir up much trouble and try to even kill him. They assume the worst about Paul, that he did something to offend them when in reality, he went out of his way to avoid doing just that. Their worst-case assumption leads to riots and much trouble. Today, do we assume the best of each other or the worst of each other? Those assumptions will shape much of how we live together and how we serve together. This world pushes us to assume the worst. Let’s push back against that and assume the best of each other!

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Morning, it’s great to be with you on this wonderful day. I’m glad you’ve taken the time to join us as we continue reading in the book of Acts. Today, we’re delving into Acts chapter 21, starting from verse 27 and reading through verse 36.

In Paul’s ministry so far, we’ve witnessed his numerous missionary journeys. However, a significant shift is about to occur in his story, and the rest of Acts will largely revolve around Paul’s experiences in prison.

Recalling our discussion from last week, Paul wasn’t obligated to perform certain actions that might indicate he was disregarding the Jewish law. Nevertheless, he went the extra mile to maintain peace and unity within the community.

It’s worth noting the parallel between Paul’s resoluteness to go to Jerusalem and Jesus’ determination to do the same. Just as Peter tried to deter Jesus from going to Jerusalem and was met with a stern rebuke, Paul encountered opposition to his decision to head to Jerusalem, but he was resolute, understanding that he needed to follow God’s calling.

Now, as we move into this passage, we find Paul in the temple, doing nothing wrong. In fact, he’s going above and beyond to demonstrate his commitment to peace and unity. However, the situation takes a turn.

This incident reminds us of the interplay between human choices and spiritual realities. Just as we may speculate about Judas betraying Jesus, there are various theories, but the Bible ultimately tells us that Satan entered Judas, revealing the spiritual dimension at work.

In a similar vein, God’s plan was for Paul to go to Rome, and this journey would contribute significantly to the spread of the gospel. However, on the human level, people made assumptions about Paul’s intentions and actions. They assumed the worst, even though Paul had strived to avoid offense.

The message here is about our assumptions regarding others. It’s easy to assume the worst of people, their intentions, or their beliefs, and this can lead to a downward spiral in our relationships and interactions. Instead, we should adopt the practice of assuming the best, as David French, a prominent writer, suggests.

In our modern world, it’s crucial to assume good intent, even when we disagree with others. This approach fosters love and better understanding, aligning with the greatest commandments to love God and love our neighbors. Let’s choose to assume the best in one another and focus on what is pure, lovely, holy, and praiseworthy.

As we move forward in Acts, we’ll witness Paul’s defense and the challenges he faces. Thank you for joining us, and we’ll continue our journey tomorrow in Acts 21:37. Have a great day!