Yesterday I wrote of Gameleil, a teacher of the law in New Testament days whose wise council was part of the founding of the New Way that Jesus' life and death gave to the World. I'm so grateful that his council was part of the heritage of religious tolerance toward the early church passed down to us and I wish we honored his perspective more broadly today..
But the other time Gameleil is noted in the Bible has great personal meaning to me.
If you are a well-schooled follower of Christ you are familiar with St. Paul (called Saul prior to changing his perspective). Even "new Christians" are often familiar with St. Paul because he was a passionate advocate for Christ, writing to churches throughout the "ancient world" credited with writing much of the New Testament: Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and possibly Hebrews.
But remember, he was NOT a Jesus guy originally and Gameleil was part of the reason. In Acts 22:3 the new Paul is giving his credentials to a group of Jews and one of his claims is that he "studied under Gameleil and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors." Based on his passionate love for God he persecuted the early Christians even unto death. Gameleil had very publicly and effectively taught AGAINST persecuting the early Christians, trusting that God would not bless their ministry if it was a false ministry. He urged folks to let God either bless or scatter them so the Jews would not risk taking sides against God. Yet his student, the man he taught and mentored went his own willful, murderous way.
I know too well the fear and sorrow that surrounds watching a beloved family member or friend whose self-will is running riot right into some nasty situations. And I am deeply grateful for "the rest of the story."
For God was not done with Saul, this "firebrand for God" who was so far from with the Will of God. Check out Acts 22 to read his story, but for now just let me say that God took extremely good care of St. Paul. I suspect the prayers of Gameleil were poured out to God asking that his beloved student might see the error of his ways. (That is a little joke in a way -- just read the story.)
So this speaks to me. Gameleil is not reported as publicly correcting his student or writing him angry letters or demanding he come home and be schooled further, all of which I can imagine myself doing all too easily. He commended Paul (or Saul as he was known then) to the loving correction of the father and I hope he lived to see that wayward student transformed into a man of astonishing stature and authority, fearlessly spreading the Good News.
Oh Lord, let me be a force for good in the life of those around me, trusting Your Wisdom and Power and Trustworthiness and Love to be sufficient in their lives as it is in mine. Help me be blessed and content to be Your hands and feet, humbling loving and serving the children of Your creation according to Your instruction and guidance. AMEN
But the other time Gameleil is noted in the Bible has great personal meaning to me.
If you are a well-schooled follower of Christ you are familiar with St. Paul (called Saul prior to changing his perspective). Even "new Christians" are often familiar with St. Paul because he was a passionate advocate for Christ, writing to churches throughout the "ancient world" credited with writing much of the New Testament: Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and possibly Hebrews.
But remember, he was NOT a Jesus guy originally and Gameleil was part of the reason. In Acts 22:3 the new Paul is giving his credentials to a group of Jews and one of his claims is that he "studied under Gameleil and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors." Based on his passionate love for God he persecuted the early Christians even unto death. Gameleil had very publicly and effectively taught AGAINST persecuting the early Christians, trusting that God would not bless their ministry if it was a false ministry. He urged folks to let God either bless or scatter them so the Jews would not risk taking sides against God. Yet his student, the man he taught and mentored went his own willful, murderous way.
I know too well the fear and sorrow that surrounds watching a beloved family member or friend whose self-will is running riot right into some nasty situations. And I am deeply grateful for "the rest of the story."
For God was not done with Saul, this "firebrand for God" who was so far from with the Will of God. Check out Acts 22 to read his story, but for now just let me say that God took extremely good care of St. Paul. I suspect the prayers of Gameleil were poured out to God asking that his beloved student might see the error of his ways. (That is a little joke in a way -- just read the story.)
So this speaks to me. Gameleil is not reported as publicly correcting his student or writing him angry letters or demanding he come home and be schooled further, all of which I can imagine myself doing all too easily. He commended Paul (or Saul as he was known then) to the loving correction of the father and I hope he lived to see that wayward student transformed into a man of astonishing stature and authority, fearlessly spreading the Good News.
Oh Lord, let me be a force for good in the life of those around me, trusting Your Wisdom and Power and Trustworthiness and Love to be sufficient in their lives as it is in mine. Help me be blessed and content to be Your hands and feet, humbling loving and serving the children of Your creation according to Your instruction and guidance. AMEN
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