With a Subtitle: How a forgotten chamberlain in Acts 12:20 reveals the new identity Christ gives

A brief Excerpt: Blastus was a forgotten chamberlain caught up in Herod's bribes—yet his odd name points to a deeper truth: what God has given you doesn't determine what He'll do with it. In Christ, you are Saint, Chosen, and Forgiven.

The Author is: Rich Holt

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Acts 12:20, “Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.”

Background

I may have mentioned at some point along the way how it strikes me as somewhat odd how the names of the well-known characters from the New Testament (Peter, James, John, Paul, Timothy, etc.) have such ordinary, if not Americanized, names, while so many from the history of Israel have less than common ones. Even the brief lineage of Jesus mentioned in Matthew includes Amminadab, Zerubbabel, and Shealtiel. After Herod had lost his grip on the aforementioned Peter and gone away to Caesarea, he had dealings with the people of Tyre and Sidon. And in their arrangement, we are introduced to Blastus. Now, here is a name that sounds like it belongs in the annals of the Avengers. Who or what could withstand the hammer of Thor, the might of the Hulk, the suit of Ironman, and whatever shot out of Blastus? Alas, such heroics were not meant to be for young Blastus. Instead, he was one of Herod’s chamberlains, which means he was in charge of taking care of part of Herod’s house. Not exactly saving the world from the evils of the Nine Realms. But Blastus did get involved in the negotiations with the neighboring civilians. In fact, he probably managed to procure a substantial bribe from the representatives of Tyre and Sidon in exchange for his help in appeasing the anger of Herod. Again, hardly a noble path for one with such a distinguished moniker.

Application

But that’s oftentimes the case, isn’t it? What we have been given, like a name or a position or a situation or a past, is not always indicative of what God would have us do with it. Your tendency towards anger or resentment might be transformed by God into the highest levels of grace and compassion once relinquished to His infinite power. The bitterness remaining from your childhood might become your means to minister to the broken or the unwed parent. Your failings as a parent or spouse might lead you to the feet of Jesus where He transforms you into a humble, saintly example of restoration. Saint, Chosen, Forgiven. These also are not common names. But they are yours, and they are who and what you are in Christ.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let it be about Jesus, and let Him also take care of your yesterday and your tomorrow.