Acts 22:22-23:11

Up to this point they listened to (Paul), 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 (Paul) 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.”

We learn a lot about the Apostle Paul in this text.

He's courageous.

And he's savvy.

Savvy being shrewd or wise in the ways of the world.

He basically plays the Sadducees against the Pharisees to win his freedom.

It seems rather ironic coming from the man who lifted up God's wisdom and seemed to condemn worldly wisdom.

Yet he knew how to work it.

Knew because he also knew his job wasn't done yet.

It's a tough battle he's fighting here. Can you imagine this scene playing out? He is flogged and beaten and accused. He is nearly torn to pieces.

And then - at the end, when it seems that all has passed, God tells him to keep his courage because everything he just went through...well, he was to expect it again in Rome. 

And in Rome ultimately he would die.

Hopefully most of us do not go through the same kind of sufferings as Paul. Yet we will suffer.

And sometimes those sufferings seem to come in waves.

Yet each one prepares us for the next. Each one makes us stronger. Gives us courage for the next wave.

It may not seem like Good News, knowing that suffering is going to come our way.

But it is good news that we have a God who is there with us in the suffering. 

Who strengthens us and gives us courage.

Who helps us find tools to get us through the suffering.

And prepares us to help others through their suffering.

May you be strengthened today with any trials that come your way. And may you be of good courage, knowing that the God of Paul is with you, beside you, preparing you.

Loving you.

Lord, prepare me and give me courage today as I face those things that I wish I could avoid. Amen.