​Trouble. Scripture, reflection and prayer.

Acts 25:1-7Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”
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After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them."

Reflection. Paul new how to 'win friends and influence people!' His message about Jesus was so powerful that rivals tried to ambush him and kill him. It does seem a truism that speaking about Jesus upsets people and draws opposition. In the UK, we are unlikely to have folk try to kill us for our faith in Jesus. However, as we begin our Find One programme in full over the summer, I sort of hope we face some opposition - it would be a sign we are on the right track.  Oh, and the opposition will be spiritual. Cheery stuff for a Sunday! Well, it is  The accusations against Paul were unfounded and he was soon to share the Good News of Jesus at the heart of government. Where will the Holy Spirit lead us? Exciting!

Prayer. Lord Jesus, on this Lord's Day, we bless your holy name. Amen.