Paul’s Telling of His Visit to Jerusalem

Text: Galatians 2:1-11

Reflection and Question: Though the other telling of Paul’s visit to the leaders in Jerusalem in Acts 15 and this passage differ in detail, the outcome is the same: Gentiles who have been filled with the Holy Spirit are welcomed into the church. Paul emphasizes this here because he is challenging those in Galatia who expect Gentiles to follow Jewish law. When we remember that Gentiles were suspect then in the same way that GLBT people are for some people now, Paul’s insistence on inclusion, echoed by the church in Jerusalem, supports our work for inclusion now. What is the place of Jewish purity law in your faith?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, You inspired the believers of old to expand their understanding of faith and to defend Your inspiration in word and deed. May Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles strengthen us in the work You inspire us to do. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).