Fish or Foul
November 19, 2008
Acts 9:20-21
20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
You kind of have to feel bad for Paul at this point. He has just received his conversion and he cannot seem to please anyone. The Jews want to kill him because he has gone over to 'the way,' and the Jesus followers do not want to have anything to do with him cause he killed a lot of them.
It reminds me of years ago when I worked at a local Christian Radio station on the weekends. Bob Dylan, the protest singer of the 60's had converted from his native Jewish faith to Christianity. He had put out a couple of Christian albums but had trouble finding an audience. I tried to play his music on the station but got complaints. The Christians were waiting for the betrayal because they knew that no one could be that radical and change. The non-Christians felt he had sold them all out.
In the end he went back to his folk music, and we lost a possibly great music artist in the Christian music world. Part of it was he was rushed into the business to quick I am sure. After this story, Paul gets taken to Tarsus and we do not hear from him for a while. He spent time in study.
Do not try to rush into the big things. Be sure that you are where God wants you to be.
