December 8, 2011 - Acts 21:26

“The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.” Acts 21:26.
To prove that he lived in obedience to the Law of the Jews, Paul joined himself to four men who were to go through a Jewish purification rite in accordance to a vow they had made. Paul not only joined these four men in the rite, but he also paid for all of their expenses. It was the church leaderships’ thought that the serious charges brought against Paul would be dismissed as untrue as a result of Paul’s obedience. Paul went to the temple with the four men and began to fulfill the purification rite, including supplying the offering to be made for all of them. Instead of fighting with the leadership, Paul submitted to their request and sought to bring reconciliation within a volatile situation.
I’ve imagined at times that Paul was a rugged, independent person, who struggled summiting to leadership. This passage clearly demonstrates that Paul was anything but independent. He appears to have humbly submitted himself to the church leadership, as well as having submitted himself to the purification rite. Paul could have stood on his principles and fought for what he believed was right, yet he chose submission. As an American, this is a difficult concept for me to live by. After all, I, like many of you, was brought up to be an independent individualist. It’s all about me, and I am the one who has to make it happen in life or it just won’t happen. Paul demonstrates a living example of honoring the leaders of the church, from which I have much to learn.
Questions to consider: Can you think of a time when you submitted to an authority that you didn’t agree with? What was that like for you? How do you feel about submission, as a principle in your life? Where does submission work in your life? And where doesn’t it?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Paul’s example of submission to his leadership authorities. Help me to learn from his example. Amen.