Not For Them, But For Him!

 

Acts 21.
The arrest of the Apostle Paul.
The indictment: that he was, “the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws.”  Of one who, “speaks against the Temple - even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.”  (verses 28-29)

The whole city was rocked because of these accusations.  
And a riot followed.
And they might have killed him.
They certainly tried.

At one point the mob grew so violent that the arresting soldiers had to lift him on their shoulders to protect him as the crowd that followed behind shouted, “Kill him!  Kill him!”  (verses 35-36)

In chapter 22 we find Paul, just having asked for permission to speak, and surprising the commander of the Roman regiment that He was a Jew and not an Egyptian, addressing the crowd, and presenting a defense for himself.

He tells his story as the onlookers listen closely.
The story of being a persecutor of Christians.
And of being fully restored.

But the listeners shifted in that moment, and reinstated their violence.
“Away with such a fellow!  He isn’t fit to live!” they yelled.  (verse 22)

The commander then brought Paul inside and ordered him to be lashed until he confessed his crime.  But moments before the beating Paul asked, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”  (verse 25)

Paul knew the law, and he was using it as a stall tactic to continue his work of not only pleading his case, but sharing the Gospel message when he spoke.

And upon this newly discovered knowledge that Paul was, in fact, a citizen from birth, the soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew their riot.

And now, chapter 23.

It nearly stops me ice cold in my tracks when I see it.
Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “‘Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!’ Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.  But Paul said to him, ‘God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?’ Those standing near Paul said to him, ‘Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?’ ‘I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,’ Paul replied, ‘for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’’”
 

Easily… SO easily… Paul could have behaved a completely different way.
He could have kept retaliating.
He could have slapped back.
He could have raised his voice in demand for justice.

But he didn’t.

He chose the Jesus way.

Honor even when, according to the world, it was undeserved.

Paul insisted on high integrity, not because the High Priest had “earned” the honor and vindication.
But because Paul understood, like Peter, that those who walked in the way of wicked by actions and tongue, were subject to far greater judgment.  

He knew about having been radically and ridiculously forgiven - from the pit of hell to which he was headed for having persecuted, condemned, and murdered God’s chosen vessels.  So much so that unworthy honor was not just a part of his decision as a Christian, it was a part of his demeanor.

Peter says it and I can’t ignore the voice of the one who had also rejected and refuted claims of Jesus.  “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and desire government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”  (2 Peter 1:9-10)

And I cannot miss the fact that these are the two categories “CHIEFLY” judged and punished.  “Them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness”, and those who, “despise government” and “are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”

Paul knew.
Peter knew.
And they warn us.

To be careful.  
To guard against wrong spirits.
And harsh words.

To protect our minds from thinking ill, our hearts from feeling ill, and our mouths from speaking ill.
Because such behavior grieves the Holy Spirit, compromises our Gospel effectiveness, and sets us up for punishment as painful and as permanent as those we consider the most vile of creatures.

Paul was brought back to a place of honoring, not because Ananias deserved it, but because JESUS deserved it. 

And if he can, we can.
No, we must.