The Word This Week
Acts 22:1…
Paul has been arrested just as had been prophesied along the way as he journeyed up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost.
We remember Agabus very recently taking Paul’s belt and using it as an illustration to show how Paul would be bound at Jerusalem when he arrived there.
Along the way Paul had been warned by the Spirit in those who loved him NOT to go up to Jerusalem because of what may happen to him there. They all correctly sensed the danger the Jews would pose to Paul.
We can only imagine what must have been going through Paul’s heart and mind as he was enveloped by the crowd of angry Jews wanting to kill him – even to tear him apart if they could.
The only thing that spared Paul’s life was the intervention of the Roman guard quickly responding to what they correctly perceived to be an illegal riot taking place in the Temple courts. They immediately came and drew Paul out of the midst of the riotous crowd and bound him with two chains – just as Agabus foresaw.
So what was Paul thinking right about now?
Was he depressed? Defeated? Sorry he had come?
If you think that was Paul’s mind you haven’t been paying attention to Paul’s attitude as he progressed through his three missionary journeys and then headed to Jerusalem as an exclamation point to his life.
Paul saw this as the opportunity of a lifetime! His dream had always been to have to a chance to address the Jews at Jerusalem, and despite his life being threatened by the unruly mob and his life-saving arrest, Paul would not surrender to fear. He knew Jesus was on his side. If only the commander of the guard would allow him to speak, the great desire of his life in Christ could finally be realized.
Perhaps surprisingly – since he was trying to figure out why the crowd reacted so violently to Paul’s presence – the commander did allow Paul to speak to the crowd.
As Paul addressed the crowd in Hebrew, the crowd became silent to hear what Paul would have to say to them. Despite everything that had just happened to him, Paul must have been thinking, “This is it! This is the time I have always wanted and desired! The opportunity to lead many – and maybe even just one – out of the confines of traditional Judaism – and into the love of Jesus Christ – OUR Jewish Messiah!
Paul began by sharing his full testimony with no regard to how it may be received or who it may offend. As it turned out, the Jews became greatly offended by what Paul said about ministering to the Gentiles, and it brought everything he had to say to a close.
Had Paul failed in the moment of the great desire of his life being fulfilled – only to see it objected to with such Jewish vehemence?
Pastor Bill
Paul has been arrested just as had been prophesied along the way as he journeyed up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost.
We remember Agabus very recently taking Paul’s belt and using it as an illustration to show how Paul would be bound at Jerusalem when he arrived there.
Along the way Paul had been warned by the Spirit in those who loved him NOT to go up to Jerusalem because of what may happen to him there. They all correctly sensed the danger the Jews would pose to Paul.
We can only imagine what must have been going through Paul’s heart and mind as he was enveloped by the crowd of angry Jews wanting to kill him – even to tear him apart if they could.
The only thing that spared Paul’s life was the intervention of the Roman guard quickly responding to what they correctly perceived to be an illegal riot taking place in the Temple courts. They immediately came and drew Paul out of the midst of the riotous crowd and bound him with two chains – just as Agabus foresaw.
So what was Paul thinking right about now?
Was he depressed? Defeated? Sorry he had come?
If you think that was Paul’s mind you haven’t been paying attention to Paul’s attitude as he progressed through his three missionary journeys and then headed to Jerusalem as an exclamation point to his life.
Paul saw this as the opportunity of a lifetime! His dream had always been to have to a chance to address the Jews at Jerusalem, and despite his life being threatened by the unruly mob and his life-saving arrest, Paul would not surrender to fear. He knew Jesus was on his side. If only the commander of the guard would allow him to speak, the great desire of his life in Christ could finally be realized.
Perhaps surprisingly – since he was trying to figure out why the crowd reacted so violently to Paul’s presence – the commander did allow Paul to speak to the crowd.
As Paul addressed the crowd in Hebrew, the crowd became silent to hear what Paul would have to say to them. Despite everything that had just happened to him, Paul must have been thinking, “This is it! This is the time I have always wanted and desired! The opportunity to lead many – and maybe even just one – out of the confines of traditional Judaism – and into the love of Jesus Christ – OUR Jewish Messiah!
Paul began by sharing his full testimony with no regard to how it may be received or who it may offend. As it turned out, the Jews became greatly offended by what Paul said about ministering to the Gentiles, and it brought everything he had to say to a close.
Had Paul failed in the moment of the great desire of his life being fulfilled – only to see it objected to with such Jewish vehemence?
Pastor Bill