Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Acts 19:8-20
Set – Leviticus 19; Acts 19
Go! – Leviticus 18-19; Psalms 13; Acts 19
Acts 19:8-20
8 For three months, Paul continued his standard practice: he went week by week to the synagogue, speaking with great confidence, arguing with great persuasiveness, proclaiming the kingdom of God. 9-10 Once again, some members of the synagogue refused to believe and insulted the Way publicly before the whole synagogue community. Paul withdrew and took those with him who had become disciples. For the next two years, he used the public lecture hall of Tyrannus, presenting the Word of the Lord every day, debating with all who would come. As a result, everyone in the region, whether Jews or Greeks, heard the message. 11 Meanwhile, God did amazing miracles through Paul. 12 People would take a handkerchief or article of clothing that had touched Paul’s skin and bring it to their sick friends or relatives, and the patients would be cured of their diseases or released from the evil spirits that oppressed them.13-14 Some itinerant Jewish exorcists noticed Paul’s success in this regard, so they tried to use the name of Jesus, the King, in an exorcism they were performing.
Imagine this: There are seven of them, all sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva, gathered around a demonized man in a house.
One of the Jewish Exorcists: I command you to depart, by the Jesus proclaimed by Paul!
Evil Spirit: 15 Jesus I know. Paul I know. But who are you?
16 Then the man leaps up, attacks them all, rips off their clothing, and beats them so badly that they run out of the house stark naked and covered in bruises.
17 Word of this strange event spread throughout Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. Everyone was shocked and realized that the name of Jesus was indeed powerful and praiseworthy. 18 As a result, a number of people involved in various occult practices came to faith. They confessed their secret practices and rituals. 19 Some of them had considerable libraries about their magic arts; they piled up their books and burned them publicly. Someone estimated the value of the books to be 50,000 silver coins. 20 Again, word spread, and the message of the Lord overcame resistance and spread powerfully.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Some of My children don’t think I have a sense of humor. But think about this scene from the early days of the church. Paul obviously had people’s attention as he performed miracles in My name. So much so that others wanted in on the act. And like today, there were a few charlatans in the crowd that thought they could take advantage of My name and just use it any way they wanted and make a fortune.
Quite frankly, I let some of them, just like I do today. Remember what Jesus told His disciples. If My name is being preached, let them preach it, as long as it isn’t a false gospel. As long as My message moves from one to another, I hope those who spread it live the life they preach, it’s obviously much more effective that way. But even if they aren’t living the life, if others hear my message and are saved by it, I am pleased.
Sometimes, though, I make examples of those that use My name in ways that profit only them. And sometimes I do it in humorous ways. Maybe you’re not into “slapstick” comedy, but every once in a while, I like slapstick comedy. So, when Sceva’s sons tried to use My name to expand his fortune telling business by casting out evil spirits, I turned the tables on him. I allowed the spirit those boys confronted let them know who was really in charge.
“I know Jesus. I know Paul. But who are you?”
Did you like that? The spirit didn’t care for them and they didn’t care much for the evil spirit after that. He beat them, stripped them, and let them run through the streets naked. Pretty embarrassing for these characters. Pretty funny to the onlookers. Pretty sobering for any who might want to profit from falsely using My name the same way they wanted to.
Do I always make spectacles of those who use My name falsely? Obviously not. You know people who use My name in ways they shouldn’t every day and I haven’t made them run naked in the streets…yet! But beware. My name means something. Take care of it. Understand that it is special to Me and I hold all the rights to it. The scene in Acts may add some humor to the New Testament as you let the scene play out in your mind. Unless you happen to be on the receiving end of the treatment.
But one day, and only I know when, I’m coming back. I’ll ask about how well you took care of My name. If you haven’t taken care of it and honored it and held it sacred, running through the streets naked will seem like timeout compared to the consequences you will endure. I want you to use My name to do great things. But I want to live in you and direct you to do them. Don’t take My commands lightly. This example may look humorous 2,000 years in the rear view mirror, but in a not-so-distant future, those who misuse My name will ask the mountains to fall on them rather than face Me.
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