Focus
As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.
Read
Acts 22:22–23:11 (NRSV)
Up to this point they listened to him, but then they shouted, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him. But when they had tied him up with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.” The tribune came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” The tribune answered, “It cost me a large sum of money to get my citizenship.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.” Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’”
When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.
That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”
Reflect
Have you ever been falsely accused about a serious matter? It may have occurred at home or school when you were a child or as an employee at work. Something in your words or actions caused others to conclude that you had committed an error or done something wrong. How did you respond? With claims of innocence? Accusations of false testimony or phony charges? Pleas for mercy and forgiveness?
What if you are accused when you truly are innocent? Does this make a difference in your response, or do you simply grit your teeth and await your punishment? Why put up a fight when the odds are stacked against you?
In our reading from Acts today, we watch Paul deal with this very issue in a city he considered heaven on earth—Jerusalem. While he had grown up Jewish in the very Greek (Gentile) city of Tarsus, God had blessed him with the opportunity to study in the great Jewish academy of Gamaliel, the foremost rabbi of the time. In all likelihood, he was the star pupil of his day.
Sadly, Paul found himself on trial for his life due to his allegiance to Jesus Christ. As a great evangelist, however, he took this adverse situation and turned it into a launching pad for declaring the good news about Jesus!
What setbacks have you experienced in your life? God can use the most hurtful, severe losses to provide us the privilege of helping unbelievers come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Pray
Lord, make us faithful and courageous witnesses to the power of Jesus. Amen.
Go with God.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.