“When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.”
Acts 21:17-19
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MAY 26, 2025
When I was a kid, we lived hundreds of miles from either of my parent’s hometowns, so once a year we made a pilgrimage to visit grandparents. On both sides of the family, “Grandma and Grandpa’s house” was also where my mom or dad grew up. As someone who moved around a lot, these places felt deliciously haunted by family memories and history.
But it wasn’t just the house: my parents went to kindergarten and high school, played sports and performed in the orchestra in these towns. And above all, the church in town was filled with extended family and old family friends. I didn’t know many of them personally, but they sure knew me, and were excited that my family had come back to visit.
I can’t help but remember this feeling of being greeted warmly when I read about Paul and his companions returning to Jerusalem. This is where Paul served first as a synagogue leader, then a new Christian as his entire life was upended, then as a leader and missionary in the new church.
And now he’s back—back to the memories and histories and haunts of his earlier years. And like any traveling missionary coming home, he has a detailed report of what God has been doing in the cities and countries where he has served. Paul has never been trying to start something in his own name: all this has been in partnership with Jesus’ own Body.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Do you have a place that feels like home? How does it feel to go back?
- How has Paul been partnering with the Jerusalem church all along?
- How are you still part of this movement today?
Church Reading Plan: Numbers 35; Psalm 79