Daily Readings - Tue May 23 2017
Acts
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten.23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.
John
5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the power of faith and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts 16:22-34 recounts the trials of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and praised God. Their faith was met with a miraculous earthquake that freed them and led to the conversion of the jailer and his household. This story highlights the resilience of faith in the face of adversity and the unexpected ways God can work through suffering.
The Gospel reading from John 16:5-11 shifts our focus to Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains that His departure is necessary for the Spirit to come, who will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, preparing His disciples for His departure and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and comfort them.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as both illustrate the Holy Spirit's role in transformation. In Acts, the Spirit's power leads to miraculous freedom and conversion, while in John, the Spirit is promised as a guide and comforter. Together, they remind us that faith, even in difficult times, can lead to unexpected blessings and that the Holy Spirit is ever-present to guide us.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, especially when faced with challenges. Just as Paul and Silas found strength in prayer and praise, we too can find peace in trusting God. The Holy Spirit, as promised, is our advocate, guiding us through life's uncertainties. Let us embrace the Spirit's presence, allowing Him to transform our hearts and lead us to a deeper faith. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and remain open to the Holy Spirit's transformative work in our lives.