HOUSE ON STRAIGHT STREET
The Followers of Jesus need to return to their roots
In the ninth chapter of the New Testament Book of Acts, the reader finds Saul of Tarsus (son of Shem) traveling to Damascus to exterminate the young Christian Church known as “Followers of the Way’. Saul had a decree from the High Priest allowing him to detain, arrest and return anyone he deemed guilty of violating Jewish Religious Laws to Jerusalem. Due to the efforts of Saul and other like-minded individuals, the Church scattered, and many lives were lost.
A bright light from heaven flashed as Saul approached Damascus, causing him to fall to the ground. Saul heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The answer: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting…” I find it revealing that Jesus did not ask Saul, “Why are you persecuting my followers?” Or why are you persecuting my believers? Nor why are you persecuting my Church. Instead, the question was, “Why are you persecuting ME?”
Saul was under the impression that he was persecuting Members of the Way but learned on that fateful day that he was persecuting Jesus, the One that forms the mountains and creates the wind. This exchange tells us that when one persecutes Follows of Christ, one is persecuting Christ. This conversation also informs us that those who engage in such activities will one day have to answer for their deeds. In addition, this passage illustrates that while some believe they are involved in ‘fighting the good fight,’ they are actually in cohorts with the enemy.
Jesus commands Saul to continue his journey to Damascus and directs him to a house on the street called Straight. For three days, Saul prayed, sought God’s will, and did not eat or drink.
Interestingly, God directed Saul/Paul to a house on Straight Street: not Right Street, Left Street, or Crooked Street. Nor was Saul/Paul led to Hate Street, Resentment Street, or Bootstrap Alley (as in pulling yourself up), but to Straight Street. While on Straight Street, the conversion of Saul/Paul, which started on Damascus Road, continued. There Saul/Paul abandoned the hate and violence of his past, fully embracing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Matthews 7:13-14 tells us:” Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Many believe that the path to eternal life is called ‘Strait.’ Paul’s encounter with Christ resulted in him leaving the road (traveled by many) leading to destruction and joining the few on the narrow path leading to eternal life.
Christ’s Followers are to be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is calling us to be soldiers of the Cross (per a song my Church sang in my youth), not soldiers in a cultural war. Our identity should be in Christ, not a political party or a party leader.
I believe that God is calling people to Straight Street today. While on Straight Street, Saul (later known as Paul) went from being an aggressive persecutor of the young Christian Church to being persecuted on behalf of the Church.
On Straight Street, Paul went from persistently harassing the Church to being the victim of harassment on behalf of the Church.
While on Straight Street, Paul went from one of Christ’s greatest enemies to one of his most significant defenders, later writing most of the New Testament.
The Followers of Jesus need to return to their roots. The early Church did not exist to gain political power but to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ’s Followers should reflect the Love of Christ, the Mercy of Christ, and the Goodness of Christ, not hate, resentment, or marginalization of others. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is far greater than any political party. The flag is not the Cross. It is time for Followers of the Most High God to turn away from the world’s false teaching, false prophets, and lying, crooked politicians. The Church is not to emulate the world’s darkness but rather be a beacon of light illuminating the dark. ‘Followers of the Way’ need to find their way back to that street called ‘Straight.’
Sent from Mr. Winn