More Attention

In the last two chapters of Acts, the apostle Paul converses and encourages three different groups of people. Each time, his efforts lead to God being glorified or the gospel being presented. Paul’s life was truly centered on the gospel of Jesus regardless of the circumstances. Our daily challenges can seem like a fight to give more attention to Jesus or to the circumstance we are involved in. Even when our circumstances try to pull our attention away from who Jesus is and what He is calling us to do, we must speak of His position as the Great High Priest who is mediating on behalf of humanity and calling all people to Himself.

Acts 27:9-12

Paul’s first warning was not heeded by the centurion, leading him to pay “more attention to the pilot and owner of the boat” (Acts 27:11). The phrase “more attention” has two perspectives: 1) contrasting differences, or 2) gaining deeper understanding. If we are going to be agents of the gospel of Jesus, we must seek to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus, rather than merely identifying the differences of Jesus from other religious figures, leading to the differences between religions.

Acts 27:22-26

Paul’s first encouragement comes shortly after their neglect of his advice, but Paul’s affirmation comes from the word of the angel of God, assuring him he will speak before Caesar on behalf of God. Pointing out that God has granted favor to those with him, because of what he is to do. The blessing from a deeper attention toward Christ leads to the blessings of others.

Acts 28:1-10

The island of Malta that they landed on experienced a similar blessing; the father of the “chief man,” who is appointed by Rome, was healed. This led to others coming and being healed because of Paul’s prayers and laying on of hands (Acts 28:8). Our depth of who Jesus is empowers and guides our engagement with others.

Acts 28:17-24

The last group is the Jews located in Rome. Paul never expressed any animosity toward the Jews, even though it was because of the accusation of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem that he was under house arrest. Rather, he took the opportunity to preach Jesus as the coming Messiah, expressing his deeper understanding of who Jesus is, convincing some that Jesus is the promised Messiah because of his deep understanding of Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets (Acts 28:24).

Use every day to take steps to deepen your understanding of who Jesus.