PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 21:27-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.” (Acts 21:32)
Are there times when it is justified to hurt others in the name of the Lord?
Not even the Law of Moses – which involved violence – approved of this treatment.
It called for a just and fair treatment of the accused, and protection from mobs.
These Jewish believers claim to be defending the Law, but are they?
While God is watching, they beat Paul; when the Romans come they stop.
Who are they really serving here, whose honour are they really defending?
They accuse Paul of dishonouring the Law and temple, but that is what they’re doing.
Is it possible that I am dishonouring the Lord in my attempts to defend him?
Jesus makes it clear that God’s way is not violence against others.
In the name of the Lord, we are called to love, to bless, to forgive, to turn the cheek.
This may seem weak but this is how God is honoured, and how evil is beaten.
What about verbal assault, using my words to beat my opponents down with my ‘truth’?
The Lord knows my heart, whether I am motivated by his love, or my own ego.
Jesus doesn’t call us to violence but to gracious words and actions; this is what honours him!
PRAYER
Lord, may I not dishonour you with the ways I attempt to honour you. Strengthen your love and grace in my heart, and soften my tendency to anger and my desire to beat others.
Mobs can be violent – we were taught to watch out for them and not to get caught in the development of one i.e., in the case of hitting someone with your vehicle in a developing country. A little misinformation and Paul was pulled out of the temple (it was supposed to be a place of peace) – and the mob was ready to kill him. We’ve seen and even stopped angry people ready to brutalize a burglar who was caught stealing. People are eager to vent their anger a mete out what they think is justice. Angry people are not reasonable. So it was for Paul – but in this case the Roman regiment stopped the mob and Paul was spared. God can unexpected sources to help his people when they are in trouble. I thank God for safety in the past and know He will be there for me. Yet, I should not be provoking or careless. Paul wasn’t but the people thought he was. Actually, the Romans prevented the Jews from having Paul’s innocent blood on their heads!
Even today, we assume by observations and draw our own conclusions not knowing the facts, the truth. He is the way, the Truth. Walk in His Way, showing that Christ Jesus swells within us. The peace of Christ needs to lead and guide us. We are to be instruments of peace sharing the love of Christ to all. I need to live for Jesus in all I do and say and not insist upon my own way, but His.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It isn’t pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men let we receive
And in dying that we’re born to turn around
Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy