It had been a very rough day and night. Now Paul was being brought before the Jews who had accused him. The Roman Guards wanted to get to the bottom of the story. They wanted to understand what Paul had done to so anger the crowd and they wanted to get it right. After all, they were there to keep the peace; but to do so they needed to know what laws might have been broken, if any. So, there he stood before the crowd. Paul began. “Men and Brethern, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” Washed in the blood of Christ, Paul’s conscience was clean. He had surrendered to God’s will each step of the way. Ah, but unwittingly he was about to break the law for which he quickly acknowledged his own failure. Repenting, he sought God’s wisdom once more to respond.
So, what was the blunder for which Paul repented? The high Priest commanded someone close to Paul to hit him in the mouth. Paul replied, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” (ACTS 23:3 NET). In other words, he called the high Priest a hypocrite. However, he had not realized Ananias was the high priest. So, they had him on a technicality, because he for a second lost his cool. “4Do you dare insult God’s high priest?” 5 Paul replied, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’ (Acts 23, NET). He had broken the law for which he repented immediately. How quickly do we repent?
When We Fail
How often do things come blurting out of my mouth or into my head that do not fit who I am in Christ? Those little snide statements or words that come from a core of pride or selfishness. Certainly, the world around us can be frustrating, particularly when our focus turns away from Christ even for a moment. Paul was right that these Jewish leaders were hypocrites; but his anger blurted out these words. Ah, but even then, we see his immediate repentance, placing his mouth back under the control of the Holy Spirit so that he might seek the wisdom of God. His eyes had been dimmed so he did not recognize the high priest for who he was; but now his eyes were opened once more and …
God’s Wisdom Prevailed
Paul suddenly realized that in the crowd stood both Pharisees and Sadducees. These two sects rarely agreed on anything, except when they condemned Jesus and now wanted to condemn Paul.
The Sadducees were a small, elite group composed of the priestly family. The Sadducees were known for what they denied. They rejected all aspects of the supernatural: miracles, angels, and the resurrection. They rejected all of the Old Testament Scriptures except the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses. Politically there were liberal in order to win the favor of Rome. They were, therefore, able to control the office of the high priest, which was appointed by Rome. By contrast the Pharisees were associated more with the common people and so exerted a stronger influence over them. They accepted all the Old Testament Scriptures but also much tradition which they regarded as the Oral Law handed down from the time of Moses. They did accept the supernal: miracles and the resurrection. Paul’s family had for several generations been Pharisees; so Paul now identifies himself with them.[1]
Therefore, he boldly said, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” (Acts 23:6 NET). Suddenly the crowd turned against each other and an argument pursued. The Romans guards once more had to rescue Paul from the riotous crowd to place him safely in their watch, though in chains.
God’s Wisdom and Comfort
Perhaps Paul was feeling rejected and a bit forlorn. Was this the end of his ministry? He so loved Christ and wanted to go home. Yet, he had so many places more he wanted to go. It was his hope to go to Spain and to Rome. Sitting there, Jesus came to Paul. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11).
In your darkest hour, God is there. God’s Wisdom will be there to guide you and His presence will bring comfort to your weary soul, as we surrender fully to His will, knowing He loves us and knows what is best. His desire is that we look like Jesus one day, filled with God’s wisdom and overflowing with His love and Joy. This moment is but a split second in time compared to eternity. So, if you have failed, never forget. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9). Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Concluding thoughts
So, dear friend, remember this: God is always there with open arms. He will give us His comfort, His wisdom, His love and fill our hearts with joy, if only we come to Him in prayer with our broken and contrite hearts.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes
[1] Jerry Falwell, The Liberty Annotated Bible, Liberty University, 1988, page 1716
New English Translation (NET)
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