June 2, 2011 - Acts 18:8

“Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:8.
Paul moved on from Athens, going south to Corinth. After proclaiming his message about Jesus and His resurrection, many in the synagogue turned their lives over to God in this new way. And they were all baptized. Crispus, who was one of the synagogue rulers, and his entire family, including their slaves, believed in the Lord and were baptized. This leader, and his household, perceived that what Paul was speaking about was true, and he made the decision to stake his life on it. When Crispus was baptized, he was publicly telling the world that he was dead to his old life and that he had been made alive in Jesus Christ. He most likely gave up his high position in the synagogue and with the Jewish people in order to start a new life as a Christian. His becoming a Christian cost him a great deal, but it was worth it.
In thinking about Crispus’ sacrifice of his life within the Jewish community, I had a difficult time relating to the level of the sacrifice he made. In my life, I have never really made much of a sacrifice in my lifestyle. My language changed, and the way I treated people was more caring, but there was no positional changes – and the people that knew me before where still my friends. I wasn’t treated as if I were dead. I perceived no tangible sacrifice in my decision to follow Jesus. And because of this, I have never really felt a deep sense of dying to my old life and needing Jesus to raise me up into a new life in Him. I have lived a comfortable life and, as a result, seem to have settled into mediocrity.
Questions to consider: What sacrifices did you have to make in moving closer to Jesus? What was that like for you? What changed in your life after making a public commitment to follow Jesus?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me a new life in Christ. Help me to connect with You and to serve You with all my heart. Amen.