Today's Reading:Old Testament: Numbers 22 - 24
New Testament: Acts 17
Focus Verses: Acts 17:2-3
2As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said.
Insight:
The apostle Paul reasoned with people. He reasoned with Jews and Gentiles, idol worshippers and philosophers, educated and illiterate. He reasoned in many places, from the synagogues to the public square. He reasoned from the Hebrew scriptures (17:2); his listeners' reading and examination of the scriptures (17:11); inscriptions on pagan altars that indicate a sense of God's presence and direction (17:23); the beauty and order of creation (17:24); the human desire to seek out God (17:27-28); the allusions to God that are present even in pagan poetry (17:28); the flawed logic of worshipping man made things and ideas (17:29); and the resurrection of Jesus (17:31).
Response and Action:
Faith is not opposed to reason. In fact, it is doubtful that anyone can truly believe in anything that does not appeal to reason in some way. Reasonable people believe all kinds of things that are not provable in a a strictly scientific way. Are there reasons to believe in Jesus? Yes. I believe that Jesus is the Christ because it is reasonable to do so. The scriptures, the witness of many people through the ages, the counsel of others, and even my own personal experiences give me reasons to believe.
Dear Lord, strengthen my faith by helping me to thoughtfully and critically examine my own reasons for believing in Jesus. Help me to always be ready to give answers and reasons for why I believe Jesus is the Christ. Help me to reason honestly, humbly, and thoughtfully with others who are exploring life's big questions and the claims of Jesus. Amen.
Proverbs: 15:2, 23
"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."
"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!"
Resources:
Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense
by N.T. Wright
