Scripture
31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”
Reflection
In these verses we see how the Jewish people attempted to kill Paul by beating him. In their minds they considered Paul as a traitor and rebel. Yet through their wicked ways they condemned Paul for drawing people from eh temple, and yet, when Paul himself was devoutly worshipping in the temple, they drew him out of it. We also see their actions in verse 32 reveals their hypocrisy and knowledge of doing wrong, since the Jews knew they would not be able to rightly justify killing Paul and this is echoed in verse 34 when the commander couldn’t get the truth out of them. Often we justify our own behaviors, even if we know deep down what we’re doing is not right in God’s eyes (Con).
Thoughts for the day
- How easily do you justify a ‘right’ behavior when in actual fact, when asked about your actions, you won’t be able to really defend it?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Pray for the spiritually lost among the global community in Shanghai; pray that they will be drawn to God by the Holy Spirit.
