September 2001

Part Five

The Super Highway (E)

                Our last sharing listed Paul’s: 195 STRIPES (4 times as many stripes as Jesus received), 3 BEATINGS WITH RODS. 1 STONING UNTO DEATH, 3 SHIPWRECKS, MANY PERILS FROM RAGING RIVERS, BANDITS, FELLOW JEWS, AND GENTILES; MANY DANGERS IN THE CITY, AT SEA, IN THE WILDERNESS AND FROM FALSE BRETHREN; ENDURING INTENSE WEARINESS, PAIN FROM HARD LABOR, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, EXTREME COLD, HUNGER (at times having no food at all), THIRST, EXPOSURE (from lack of adequate clothing, AND PRESSURE FROM CONCERN OVER THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHURCH. Now these things weren’t heaped upon Paul because God hated him or was punishing him for his sinful deeds while he was a sinner; for God satisfied that debt when He lowered Himself to earth in human form and paid the Ultimate Atonement for ALL SIN! No, dear reader, it was God’s everlasting LOVE that subjected Paul to all his persecutions and afflictions. Hear Paul’s own words:

“Which of you is weak and I cannot understand and feel his weakness; which of you is made to stumble and fall- and wound his faith- and I am not on fire with sorrow and intercession?! If I must glory at all, I will glory in those things which expose my weakness and infirmity!! For in all these things that I have told you, surely God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ- Who is blessed forever, knows I do not lie!” (2 Co 11:29-31)

               Not included in Paul’s list of lashings of flesh and scourgings of soul were the oft times he suffered imprisonments too- and in those days, most prisons had no beds, toilets or decent food, and none had TV’s or computers! Hear just one such account; but as you do, note the difference when the prisoners have Christ in their hearts:

“A multitude was incited against Paul and Silas and the local magistrates tore the clothes off their backs and ordered that they be beaten with rods. When this had been done and many stripes were given, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them closely; he then put them in the innermost prison where he secured their feet in stocks! (Surely none could escape from this!) Then at midnight, the rest of the prisoners heard (an amazing sound) PAUL AND SILAS PRAYED AND SANG PRAISES TO GOD! And suddenly there was a massive EARTHQUAKE- so violent it shook the foundations of the prison with a great force!!

ALL THE PRISON DOORS SPRANG OPEN;
AND
EVERY MAN’S SHACKLES FELL OFF!!”

[But that wasn’t the end of this glorious account!]

“When the jailer was shaken from his sleep, he saw the open prison doors and thought all the prisoners had escaped, so he took out his sword to kill himself; but Paul called to him in a loud voice, ‘Do not hurt yourself; we are ALL still here!’ (Note: only God could have prevented all the other prisoners from using this opportunity to run away!) The guard called for a light and ran into the cell, and when he saw they were all there, he came and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he released them saying, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and all your house will be saved.’ Then they shared with him and his household the Word of God, and in that very hour of the night, the guard took them (presumably to a nearby river) and after washing the stripes of Paul and Silas, he and all his house were immediately baptized!! Then he brought them back into his house and fed them, as he and all his house rejoiced in their new belief in God!! The next morning, the city magistrates sent word to the prison officials, ‘Let those men go!’.So the (newly-saved) jailer told Paul, ‘The magistrates have sent word to let you go; therefore, go in peace!’ But Paul said, ‘We are Romans and yet the magistrates had us beaten without a trial or formal sentencing and threw us into prison! Now they want to release us secretly? Indeed not! Rather let them come here themselves and lead us out!! When the guards related Paul’s words to the magistrates, they were afraid when they learned that these men were Romans! So they came and apologized and brought them out of the prison, then begged them to leave the city. But on their way out of town, they stopped to visit the home of Lydia (a newly saved and baptized Christian) and after a brief fellowship with all the local brethren, they comforted them, and departed.” (Acts 16:22-26)

               These are but a sample- a firstfruits, a down payment- on the “Greater works than these“ (Jn 14:12) Father said His sons would do after His Saving Anointing (called, “Jesus Christ”) was evacuated from that Human Vessel He had only assumed briefly to demonstrate His great Purpose and executing Power to establish His Kingdom in the earth- after which He returned to Spirit form and began indwelling the hearts of all men (“Each in his own order” 1 Co 15:23)! And if you, dear reader, are able to see the glorious way this affects your life, you are blessed above measure because “Flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but it is revealed by my Father which is in heaven!” (Mt 16:17) Therefore, rejoice and be glad!!

[TO BE CONTINUED]