Monday 26 January 2009

Background

Paul, the traditional writer of this letter, is not a happyapostle! It seems that there are serious changes happening in thechurches in southern Turkey (where Galatia was located). Paul, itwould appear, has been building one foundation for the early Churchand in Galatia they have seen fit to start building onanother!

Paul recalls that before his conversion to Christianity he was themost zealous of all the zealous Jews. But something has happened tochange that - the events of the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-19). Paulhas personal and first hand understandingof what and whomadethe difference. He is not ready to just let these churches journeydown a cul-de-sac - he has come too far to allow that. So justwhere has he come from?

For many, the word 'zeal' conjures images of warmth of heart andspirit. For the modern Christian, it could communicate enthusiasmfor church and prayer meetings. For others Christians, it mightdescribe their attitude towards overseas mission (though not alwaysin the immediate locality!) For Saul (as Paul was known before hisconversion) and other 1st century Jews 'zeal' was something you didwith a knife.

Saul, many believe, was not just any old Pharisee but probably astrict Shammaite. At that time there were two branches of thePharisees - the Hillelites and the Shammaites. The Hillelites werebroadly happy to live with Roman occupation as long as they couldbe Jews in peace. The Shammaites wanted to go further and be God'sagents in bringing peace and freedom from the occupying power.Recent archeology has shown that the revolutionary 'Sicarii' - the'dagger men' - who died in the last stand on Masada weredeeply pious Jews.

So Saul it seems was a 'hard liner' until his experience on theDamascus road. This experience would have profound implications notonly for Saul, but also for world history. Saul, the hard liner,would have his heart and mind changed in one powerful meeting withthe risen Christ and find a new identity as Paul. God had done forJesus Christ in the present time what Paul expected God would dofor Israel at the end of time. God's kingdom was being realised. SoPaul was not going to let this revelation be lost without afight!

To Ponder

How does it make you feel, knowing that thefounder of the Gentile (non-Jewish) Church was a 'hard line'Jew?

What comparisons might be made between the 'hardline' Pharisees and other religious fundamentalists?

Reflect on the event of the Damascus road, thechange in Saul, his new vocation and the change in your life if youhave met with Jesus in a personal way.