Reading: Acts 22:24-29 NLT
The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”
When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”
So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”
“Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.
“I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!”
Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”
The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
Prayer: Heavenly Father – You have made us all different and scattered us among the nations of the earth. We are all equally made in your image… with intrinsic value and dignity… deserving of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But the nations of the world are not equal… socio-economincally, politically, religiously, militarily. Citizenship matters… passports matter… and some of your children are stuck where they are in fear for their lives… while others wander the earth as refugees looking for a safe place to live. Protect your children, Heavenly Father. May they know your bounty as citizens of your Kingdom… and may they live as children of their Heavenly King… regardless of their personal circumstances. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: “The Pilgrim’s Song” (Children of the Heavenly King) – John Cennick (1743)
Children of the heavenly King, As you journey sweetly sing. Sing your Savior’s worthy praise, Glorious in his works and ways!
Ye are traveling home to God, In the way the fathers trod: They are happy now, and ye, Soon their happiness shall see.
O ye banished seed be glad! Christ your Advocate is made; Us to save our flesh assumes, Brother to our souls becomes.
Shout ye little flock and blest, You on Jesu’s throne shall rest; There your seat is now prepar’d, There’s your kingdom and reward.
Fear not brethren joyful stand, On the borders of your land; Jesus Christ, your Father’s Son, Bids you joyfully come on.
Lord, obediently we go, Gladly leaving all below; Only thou our Leader be, And we still will follow thee!
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