"When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry."

Acts 21:17-19

Differences between Christians can be challenging. Sometimes alternative views are held and defended very fiercely. There can be a lot of emotion because everyone is highly invested in living a godly life and will want to do his or her best for God. Here, Paul and his team may have anxieties about their reception by the Christians at Jerusalem, where they have arrived after their long, difficult, and possibly dangerous journey. Luke reports that they are greeted ‘warmly’ (v, 17).

After a night’s sleep, the missionaries go to see James, who still leads the Jerusalem church. They may have been anticipating a tense and unsettling meeting. Yet a wonderful testimony to the grace and love that is possible through Christ becomes apparent. Paul tells James and the elders stories of the many gentile conversions he has seen—and the brothers in Jerusalem are full of praise to God for the spread of the gospel. With a similar generosity of spirit, Paul agrees to undergo a Jewish ritual to reassure the Jerusalem brethren that he is not abandoning or rejecting their customs. This was an example of loving acceptance of one another’s differences in Christ.

It is important to proclaim the faith, to plant churches, and to teach and train disciples. It is also important to embrace the gentleness of Christ toward one another. Paul’s missionary journeys were incredible human achievements, but his heart was shaped by generosity and kindness. He was truly a captive of Christ.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help me that my own life is one that expresses the gracious acceptance and commitment that was Christ’s; help me so that I can be a witness for him in any circumstance (edited from Encounter with God).