How does one respond with love to a hostile crowd? All too often we are told we must compromise, be silent or even give in to whatever radical idea they espouse to build a bridge of unity. Yet, is that truly loving when it comes down to defending the gospel or not? We are told to for the sake of unity and love to acknowledge a lie for truth. So many try to say it is unloving to say homosexuality is a sin, or that abortion is killing a child? The crowd becomes hostile screaming bigot if we say Jesus is the only way of salvation. But, knowing eternity lies before every man, woman and child, would the loving thing be to just let them be to die in darkness and face judgement when we have the key to salvation?
If a man stood on a high precipice saying, if I jump, I can fly-do we let him jump? Paul would say, “No!” He came to Jerusalem with gifts for the church of Jerusalem. At the same time, he came bearing the sacrificial gift of his hair having fulfilled a very traditional Jewish ritual of completing a Nazarite vow. Did he believe that the vow held a key to salvation? No, but for him, he fulfilled the Nazarite vow with a passionate love for God and for the Jewish people. It was Paul who said to not do things that could be a stumbling block for others. He detailed this in Romans 14. So, for Paul he fulfilled the ritual of the Nazarite vow, as a symbol to the Jewish people of his love and devotion to God. And as a sacrifice, sweet savoring to God.
A Hostile Crowd
So, when he was seen at the temple along with 4 other Christian Jews who had completed the Nazarite vow, the crowds became angry. Some had heard about his teaching the gospel to the Gentiles. So, they revolted against him, accusing him of heresy against the Jewish faith. A Hostile Crowd surrounded him, drug him out of the temple, intent on killing him. So, how could he respond with love to this crowd? At first, he remained quiet. He did not fight nor scream in anger; but waited for God to tell him when to speak. The Roman guards saw the riot and came rushing in to break up the crowd. They then bound Paul in chains and carried him to the top of the stairs above the crowd. Now saved from the crowd, Paul could have remained silent; but instead he chose to respond with love.
Paul using his best Greek asked the guards if he could speak to the crowd. As he began to speak to the crowd, he did so in Aramaic. All became silent to listen. Paul began by saying, I too am a Pharisee. I studied under Gamaliel. As one zealous, just like you I persecuted the Christians. But God, in His grace chose to meet me along the road to Damascus. There Christ appeared to me. I saw the risen Christ face to face. Then it was He who lead me to go as a missionary to the Gentiles. He spoke with passion, humility and love. His heart wanted them to know Jesus Christ. He was more concerned with their eternity than he was with proving he was right. Certainly, he did not compromise the truth to gain their favor, for that would not gain their salvation.
Respond with Love, without compromise
Ah, but despite his compassionate plea to the crowd, they became so angry they threw off their clothes and threw dirt, since there were no rocks to throw. Still, Paul did respond with love; but to no apparent benefit. Yet it is not about how many come at that moment. Paul always knew his role was to obey and then leave the consequences to God. The guards were puzzled by the hostile crowd; so, they planned to flail him seeking answers, a torture that would leave him crippled. He did not fight or flail against the guards. Instead, he said gently, “is it lawful that you scourge a Roman and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25). They knew they could not once they knew he was Roman, for that was the law.
You see, God had chosen Paul with all the unique characteristics that would come into play at just the right time when needed. His past now played such a role in his present ministry all the way through. The same is true of you, if you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All your past has prepared you uniquely for the mission at hand. That is to spread the news of the gospel, to respond with love and stand firm on the truth regardless of the hostile crowd you face. When you begin to see this life and even the moments of pain are but a second in time compared to eternity, love will command your heart to speak the truth of the gospel. You will respond with love without compromising the truth, standing firm on God’s word.
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.