further down the path

Good morning friends,
Today we see Paul speaking again to the Jewish leaders. It's interesting to see how he continues to see that he has a responsibility to honor the leadership in that community, despite sometimes having to go against them. We also see Paul being quite astute here. He sees that the leadership is divided because some are Pharisees and some Sadduccees. He exploits this division by talking about how his Christian faith comes from his background as a Pharisee. That leads some Pharisees to support Paul. The final thing that captures my attention in this passage is God's vision for Paul that he is doing the right thing and will also be God's witness in Rome. Wherever we go, may we be faithful witnesses today.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 22:30-23:11

³⁰Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before them. While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, ‘Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.’ ²Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. ³At this Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?’ ⁴Those standing nearby said, ‘Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?’ ⁵And Paul said, ‘I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.” ’

6 When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ ⁷When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.)

⁹Then a great clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’ ¹⁰When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks. 11 That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’