SCRIPTURE: Acts 23
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. [Mark 14:60-61]
When Paul lashes out at the high priest, we can sympathize.
I have been in situations where I felt unfairly accused, and responded in anger.
Paul’s response seems more natural than Jesus’.
After his outburst, Paul apologizes.
Respect for our leaders should apply even when they act unjustly.
The radical call to follow Jesus is not an excuse for insurrection, rebellion or disrespect.
To follow Jesus is to do what is right, whether it is acceptable to others or not, and trust God to vindicate us.
Jesus simply spoke and lived the will of God, and allowed God to be His vindication.
When falsely accused, He remained silent and gave no answer.
Paul manages to divide his accusers with a shrewd trick, he raises the subject of the resurrection (i.e. that there is life after death), which the Sadducees (the ‘liberals’ of the Jewish parliament, or Sanhedrin) did not believe.
The controversy turns the ‘parliament’ into a mad house (sounds like the Canadian parliament), and Paul is removed for his own protection.
The Roman officials do not understand what is going on, they just see the potential for violence and rebellion.
How we respond to wrong or unjust situations is important here.
Was it wise or right for Paul to use a trick to divide the Sanhedrin?
Was it wise or right for him to backtalk to the high priest?
Was it wise or right for the high priest to order that Paul be slapped?
Was it wise or right for the Jews to make a vow to not eat until Paul was killed?
Jesus urges us to act and react wisely, humbly, honourably.
Paul later reminds the Roman Jesus-followers not to respond as he did here, but to overcome evil with blessing and goodness.
Read Romans 12:17-21.
This is the way of Jesus.
It’s not easy, but it’s for the best.
Think about these forty Jews who vowed not to eat until they had murdered this man accused of breaking God’s law (isn’t murder breaking God’s law?).
Did they keep their vows after Paul escaped?
I hear in this passage a reminder to quiet my heart, to not overreact to my circumstances, to entrust my situation to the Lord, and to do and say what is right, whether it’s easy or not.
PRAYER:
Lord, I do not have the strength to do this myself, give me Your Spirit, and help me have a humble, quiet heart, confident in You!
Under pressure. Paul, a servant of the Lord, was persecuted. During this the words he spoke went against the authority of the day. When he realized this, he apologized about his words since God’s Word says not to speak evil about those in authority.
This is a lesson I can learn. Whether at work or at play, how often are my words against those in authority when things do not go my way. In games I say ‘dumb rules’ or they didn’t play fair or they cheated – all disrespect of people – peers, referees. At work, why did the Director tell me to do that, talking disrespectful about the school, the Haitian/Canadian government, the sitcoms making comments about our leaders both political and religious, church rules, and the list just continues.
How do I live as God’s champion from day to day in this world when wrong seems oft so strong? What’s my response? Be like Jesus. A soft answer turns them away. Be radical. Then I think of the Beatitudes – my be attitude – in all things. Rudetude, moodtude, gratitude, feudtude, habitude, and other tude carriers. In all things I too must be a living example showing my attitude of gratitude with altitude of all my Saviour has done for me.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.