Today’s Bible Reading:
Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23
Topic: Victory
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:1-2, 10, 12-15; 11
Acts 23:1-15
1 Paul looked straight
at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God
in all good conscience to this day." 2 At this the high priest Ananias
ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. (Acts 23:1-2
NIV)
10 The dispute became
so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them.
He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring
him into the barracks. (Acts 23:10 NIV)
11 The following night
the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified
about me in Jerusalem , so you must also testify
in Rome
12 The next morning
the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or
drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this
plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have
taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then,
you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the
pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to
kill him before he gets here."
(Acts 23:12-15 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
If someone says something you don’t like, hit ’em in the
mouth (v. 2).
If you can’t win a debate, get violent (v. 10).
If they still confound you, kill them (vv. 12-15).
If you follow the example of the Jewish leaders in Acts 23,
this would seem to be your guide for winning an argument. And, disturbingly,
this is often the pattern many follow in our world today. If people don’t agree
with your lifestyle choices, denigrate and ostracize them; destroy their
livelihoods as best you can! Force them to agree with you! If you disagree with
a court ruling, loot and destroy other people’s property. If anyone opposes
you, assault them! If people don’t kowtow to your usurped authority and
gleefully endorse your supposed religious beliefs, cut their heads off! –or you
know what?! Cut their heads off anyway just for…!
If this is not how we are to behave, how are we supposed to
defend ourselves from those who do act in these barbaric ways?
APPLICATION:
People, tribes and nations have historically acted in
horrifyingly evil ways to take what they want or to force others to serve their
interests. This is in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus: Love your
neighbor – love your enemies and pray for them – turn the other cheek – let the
Lord avenge you…
Does this mean we are supposed to let people walk all over
us? Are we not supposed to defend ourselves and stand up for righteousness?
In the midst of the harshness and brutality we find in Acts
23, note verse 11: When we stand up for God’s principles, even against
overwhelming odds, Jesus stands with us! If it is our time to die, we get to go
live with Him. But if he still has more for us to accomplish (like testifying
in Rome , or
whatever the Lord has called us to do), and we have to suffer a while longer,
He suffers alongside us and will sustain us through it all. What a heartening
promise to hold on to!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for the assurance that when I stand for you,
you stand with me. Grant me continual discernment from your Holy Spirit as to
what to say and do. Grant me the courage then to say and do it. Help me
remember that as I obediently follow you, it is you who wins the victory, not me.
Through Christ. Amen.
-AP
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