Acts 23
1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." 2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" 4Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God’s high priest?" 5And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." 7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" 10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
Paul has just finished giving his testimony to some of the most powerful people in Jerusalem. There is something in this passage that surprises me. Paul is disrespected by the council and is mistreated according to how he should be treated as a Roman citizen and a former Pharisee. Yet Paul apologises for when disrespects there leader accidentally, but we would say with just cause. Many people take the view you disrespect me and I'll disrespect you. This can lead to a lot of problems. Here Paul is admitting he did something wrong when the same injustice has been done over and over again to him within the past few hours. This is a man not concerned with his pride, but truly with spreading the gospel. What a lesson to learn. I work with doctors and other professionals at my work. There are times when I don't think I am being listened too when I call the doctor with a problem. There are times when I don't listen to my fellow nurses. There have been numerous occasions where patients don't listen to me because I have am to young, a woman, just a nurse, have never had this situation happen to me, ect. My response to this is often less than Christ-like. I have wonderful opportunities to learn from doctors and those around me with more experience and knowledge, yet sometimes I pass these by because of my pride and ability to listen to others.
Father, please heal my heart. Give me guidance as I work with people. May I be respectful, kind, and compassionate. Help me to behave in a way that honors You. Give me a humble spirit, but a spirit that seeks to protect those that are in my care. As I switch my work hours help me to deal with the business and confusion with grace and understanding. Be with me Father as I struggle to comprehend Your ways and follow Your commands. Be with me in my loneliness and tiredness. Give me Your strength and love. Amen.
1 comment:
Corrie,
As I examine myself, I find that I have a problem with listening to others and always having respect for those who disrespect me. I have always been troubled by this passage. What does Paul mean that he did not know the man was the High Priest? I think he may have become careless about the issue of respect. I have often become careless in this same regard. God grant me the ability to be respectful always.
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