Acts 21:17-26 w/ Jack Hester
This week, we look at Acts 21:17-26 and Paul's arrival in Jerusalem. It was an extremely volatile time according to historians. One commentator summarizes it this way, "intense Jewish nationalism and political unrest. One insurrection after another rose to challenge the Roman overlords, and Felix brutally suppressed them all. This only increased the Jewish hatred for Rome and inflamed anti-Gentile sentiments. It was a time when pro-Jewish sentiment was at its height, and friendliness with outsiders was viewed askance. Considering public relations, Paul’s mission to the Gentiles would not have been well received." And yet, read Acts 21:17-20 and we see the early church leaders and apostles unified, embracing, at peace, celebrating God's work, and worshiping, It's encouraging and a timely reminder for us today.