July 21, 2010

Acts 23:1-15
Perhaps this was why Paul wanted to come to Jerusalem. He wanted just one chance to preach to the Council leaders. Now he has it. Perhaps it wasn't quite as he imagined it in his mind. Perhaps he thought it would be a little more amiable rather than under the careful watch of the Roman Commander. He gets one sentence out and is commanded to be struck by one of them. Paul, always alert to the demands of the law, recognizes the unlawfulness of the command and curses the person for disobeying the law. At which point he is reprimanded for speaking evil of the High Priest. The High Priest must not have been in his clerical robes, for Paul did not recognize him as such. He's done it now. Open mouth insert foot. Is there a way out of this? He uses a Scripture verse and makes an apology. Paul skillfully recognizes that he can use party alliances to proclaim the glory of Jesus. So, he speaks of the resurrection. Immediately, the council splits into an old feud concerning the resurrection. But rather than gaining an opportunity to expound on the resurrection of Jesus, the council degenerates into chaos. The Roman commander is forced to once again to rescue Paul from the clutches of the religious leaders.
It didn't go well to say the least. He didn't really get his opportunity to preach Jesus. Were it not for his Roman citizenship, the Roman commander would probably not have rescued him. Oh well, now there is more time to sit in a cell and think about the problem. I am sure he needed some really strong encouragement. His planned mission trip to Spain is now indefinitely on hold. His need for encouragement is now so strong that the Lord does something that He very rarely does--even for apostles. I mean, the Lord has never personally stood by my bed at night to cheer me up. But then, I've never been in jail for preaching the gospel either. Where do we see the glory of the Lord in this? When we are trying desperately to advance His cause, when we are in our deepest pit, when we have made a mess of things, He is with us. Not only is He with us but He will still accomplish His purpose when we have messed it up. Paul got his desire to bear witness to the council. And now, the Lord is about to give him (a couple of years down the road) an audience with Caesar himself and along the way he will be able to witness to many influential rulers and soldiers, who will in turn spread the gospel as they go. May each one of us be able to open our mouths and insert our feet with such effectiveness! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John