Where Was Paul?

Winter may start today, or perhaps on Monday, or we may have another cooler spell followed by another winter without winter. Today, for some reason, I wondered where Paul was during that Passover when Jesus was tried and crucified. A lot of people came to Jerusalem for the holiday each year, and not only Jews. The Romans probably beefed up security at that time, and many merchants would gather, as merchants do when a crowd forms, to sell their wares at inflated prices. Paul may have been studying under the Sanhedrin during that time and witnessed the show trial, or he may have been too young to travel. Did Paul gather with the crowd before Pilate and shout for the blood of Jesus? Maybe, but I think Paul would have admitted to that in his writings if he had been there. What I like about Paul's writing is not where he was or was not, but his openness.

Paul struggled in his faith at times. Paul doubted at times. Paul came from a past he was at times proud of and at times ashamed of. Paul did not always do what he knew was right. How do I know all of this? Easy, everyone who ever bore the name of Christian because of rebirth in Christ has done the same things. Before meeting Jesus, Paul was sure of his mission, confident in his education, and fond of doing the right thing as he saw it. We may have felt much the same before our rebirth. Then Jesus laid Paul out on the road and started over with a new man. This is not to say that Jesus did not use parts or all of Paul's past life.

Paul had a first class education in the scriptures, but in Christ he would read with new eyes and the Holy Spirit to help and guide him. On the other hand, Paul would now call a whole different group of people friends and brothers. His former colleagues probably called him traitor, enemy, fool, and other derogatory names, at least when they weren't selecting rocks by weight and suitability for throwing. Paul's life changed dramatically from the day Christ met him on the road to Damascus. Your life, my life, and others who have been reborn in Christ may not experience quite so much change on the surface, or we may not experience it quite so quickly as Paul did. However, while we wonder about Paul, the Holy Spirit is working us over, and life is going to change for us.

God bless you on this day!
Bucky