In Search Of Truth, Acts 23:12-35

Although Paul survived his interrogation before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious and cultural authorities, Paul was still being held prisoner by them. However, Jesus appeared to Paul and told him that he would testify to the facts about him in Rome. (v.11) So Paul knew he would not die or be imprisoned in Jerusalem forever.

The zealous Jews mentioned in verse 12 give us an example of what can happen when we "follow our hearts" rather than make truth our highest priority and guide. Over 40 men had worked themselves into a frenzy and despite clear scriptural commands against murder, vowed to kill Paul before eating again. Even the Jewish religious leaders agreed to be a part of this plot. (v.12-15) They ignored their hypocrisy or used some form of twisted logic to make scripture seem to say things that it doesn't. And even the vow of the 40 zealous Jews, as pious as it sounded, only required an atonement offering be made if they broke it.

As much as we may commit ourselves to understanding and obeying the truth of the Bible, we are still just as capable of subtly twisting or working around the truth to satisfy our own agendas. Fiction, especially in the fantasy genre, is fond of making religious authorities hypocrites who have long forgotten truth and seek only their own petty ends. But the truth is that none of us need a title or a fancy collar to manipulate truth to serve our own agendas. The moment we believe we are skilled at discerning is the same moment we should allow our beliefs to be examined again, by scripture and by others pursuing truth.

 Despite the plot against Paul, God orchestrated events so that an ally heard about the plan and reported it to Paul, who then connected him with the tribune that had originally detained Paul for "questioning". (v.16-22) The tribune was was no ally to Paul, but likely recognized the mess he had on his hands. So he prepared a military escort to get Paul safely before the governor, including a letter that explained the situation, while subtly glossing over the fact that the tribune nearly had a Roman citizen tortured. The letter also assumed that the tribune would order Paul's accusers to appear before the governor to make their case against Paul. This plan was carried out successfully, and after verifying that Paul was in his jurisdiction, the governor agreed to hear his case. (v.23-35)

As much as it may seem like we are subject to people who exercise power over us, everyone is subject to God, whether they know and acknowledge it or not. Jesus said that Paul would live to go to Rome. Against the odds, a friend of Paul overheard some crucial words and brought them to a self-serving tribune who, out of self-preservation, wound up preserving Paul from an organized attempt against his life.


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