Grace Under Fire
(Read Acts 23-24)
As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been grouping a few chapters together in our weekly devotionals lately. Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1227 AD, created the modern chapter divisions in the Bible. Since the Wycliffe Bible, almost all other Bibles follow his model.
Luke demonstrates the centrality of the resurrection to the Christian faith in both Acts 23 and 24. Paul was once again facing the heat, on trial in front of the Sadducees and Pharisees. It was partly his message and mainly because he preached the resurrection of Jesus.
At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”
Acts 23:2-4
Does this sound familiar? Jesus faced a similar and more precarious situation when He protested the action of the high priest Annas, who had slapped him. Luke saw and used a parallel between the two events. Paul, like Jesus, also spoke out in harsh terms against the “whitewashed” hypocrisy of the Jewish teachers.
Most of us don’t like being corrected. People in positions of power like it even less. Corrupt people in positions of power feel threatened by being critiqued. Paul was going to face another lion’s den of sorts. God sometimes allows evil things to happen to us because He has a bigger plan. Sometimes it’s to shape us, sometimes to refine us, sometimes it’s for an ultimate good that we don’t know yet. Joseph is a great example of this. He suffered deeply at the hands of his brothers, was imprisoned, shunned, and humiliated. In the end, he was reunited with his father Jacob and the rest of his family. God’s glory was again put in place.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Acts 23:11
Christ plainly told Paul that he was going to Rome. Period. No human hands, no self-righteous religiosity, no conspiracies can ever stand against the promise of Christ. Jesus promised. So until Paul got to Rome, for all intents and purposes, he was immortal. There was more testimonies to be given. Christ would see to it that Paul deliver them.
It’s so ironic that Jesus Christ keeps having these intense heart to hearts with Paul. His first conversation was probably not too pleasant. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:7) Paul had another mandate to go into another city and do what he must. Paul, who terrorized and killed people for being a part of the Jesus movement, now offered his life for the “Way.”
What would it be like if Jesus would appear and speak to us openly like this? Would it be like the song “I Can Only Imagine,” will we dance, be in awe, stand, or fall to our knees? I’m not sure how I would react, but I have no doubt that I would listen. There was no hesitation from Paul.
They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”
Acts 23:14-15
The Jewish leaders were trying to persuade the governor that Paul’s preaching was causing civil disturbances throughout the Empire. Further, they claimed that Paul and the Jesus followers were a threat to order and the community. Paul, was basically being charged with creating civil unrest throughout the Roman Empire.
We’re far enough into Acts to know that the Sanhedrin was not afraid to use political intimidation against Roman authority in order to get their way. Their insecurity and hatred was so intense, they vowed to go on hunger strike vigils to secure Paul’s execution.
The Sanhedrin, while powerful, neglected to realize one important fact, that Jesus’ promises can’t be broken. “You must testify also in Rome.” Paul wouldn’t be stopped here.
“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
Acts 24:17-21
Paul didn’t blink. He stood firm but gently reminded the court of the real truth. Paul’s unwavering stance on Christ’s resurrection is what was really on trial. It didn’t matter to the Sanhedrin that Paul was also a respectful man who observed certain Jewish rites of purity. Paul’s approach was the model for our appropriate defense of the Christian faith with others in the world today. Paul refused to get caught up in emotions, he stayed with the facts, he told the truth, he didn’t quit, he didn’t become impatient or hateful, and he stuck with promise of God.
Maybe Paul wouldn’t have been so bold naming his accusers if he knew there were forty men who had taken an oath to not eat or drink until they had killed him. Jesus didn’t tell him that part. It was a need to know basis. But Paul knew what he NEEDED to know, that he could trust Jesus.
In May 1945, Private Desmond Doss entered into one of the bloodiest battle of World War II. It was a fight for the strategic island of Okinawa, then controlled by the Japanese Empire. Without a rifle, all he had to protect himself was his Bible and faith. Ross was a devout Seventh Day Adventist and conscientious objector.
The meat grinder of a battlefield was located on top of a 400-foot cliff. It was protected by a nest of entrenched Japanese machine gun nests and booby traps. The cliff was nicknamed Hacksaw Ridge.
Over and over Doss repeatedly ran alone into the kill zone facing heavy machine gun and artillery fire while carrying wounded soldiers to the edge of the cliff and lowering them to safety. Every time he saved a life, he prayed out loud, “Lord, please help me get one more.” It is estimated that he had rescued about 75 men.
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
Acts 24:24-25
Even Felix, who claimed to be a Jesus believer, didn’t pass the test. When Paul pointed out Felix’s sinful weaknesses and lack of self-control, Felix wanted none of that. It’s hard to hear the truth when we’re proud and self-righteous.
When faced with an opportunity to present the gospel, even in hostile conditions, we need to speak it simply and truthfully. I know I’m not as brave and bold as Paul or Private Doss, but I would like to believe that I will uphold the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what situation I face. There is a right way and a wrong way to do this. When Jesus tells us that He will deliver us, that’s all the conviction we need.
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
C.S. Lewis
Key Applications:
- Has there been a time recently when you were falsely accused? Did you respond like Paul?
If you didn’t respond the way you would like, what would you do differently? - Ask God to reveal all the sins and idols in your life that are keeping you from the love of Jesus Christ. Pray to God that He gives you strength in your areas of weakness.
- Read Acts 23-24. When defending your faith, how do you respond? Does anger and bitterness pour out of your mouth. Is your heart hardened? Pray that the wisdom of God and His Grace will lead you to a Christ-like response.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.