Thought for the Week

Scriptures to Read:

Acts 21:27-31

St. John 16:1-7

St. John 16:8-15

Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:6-13

St. Luke 23:13-18

Acts 7:51-59

The plan to absolve Paul of false accusations backfired. His Nazarite vow brought him to the Temple, perhaps more times than normal for worship and prayer. Nearly at the end of the vowed time, he was in the Temple and suddenly some Asian Jews grabbed him and made accusations against him. The accusations: This man teaches against the Jewish people. He teaches against the Law given by Moses. He teaches against Jerusalem and the Temple. He brought Gentiles into the Temple. He polluted the Temple (by bringing Gentiles into it). They cried out for the other Jews there to help them hold him and bring justice against him.

Now, we can be pretty sure all these charges are false. We know he loved the Jewish nation and people. In Romans 9:3ff Paul expresses a great burden for the Jews. He even suggests he would be willing to be accursed if it would lead to their salvation. They are God's chosen people and have received God's gift of The Law. We know he was even now observing one of the special vows of the Law and was in the Temple to worship. We know he had longed to come to Jerusalem. These would seem to prove the accusations false.

As for associating with Gentiles, he did. In fact Trophemus, an Ephesian, Gentile Christian was a traveling companion, assisting with the guarding and care of the gift to be given to assist Jews in their time of famine. I cannot prove Paul did not bring a Gentile into the Temple, but it seems highly unlikely since there were signs posted at the entrance saying "No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who is caught so doing will have himself to blame for his ensuing death."

The Roman government indeed allowed the Jews to kill any trespassers. It seems most unlikely Paul would take any of his friends into such danger. But the accusation is shouted loud and clear. Quickly a mob gathers and Paul is seized and dragged outside and the door of the Temple area shut against him. His accusers were fully prepared to kill Paul. We do not really know if the accusers were merely mistaken or if this was a plot to have him killed. That had been tried many times before, of course, without success. It appears this mob was large. Scripture says the "whole city was moved." Under normal circumstances the group would be large, but this was at the time of celebrating Passover and the city was swelled by people from all over the world who would have made the pilgrimage. Escape does not seem likely.

God's timing is certainly involved. God knows His plans for Paul. Paul has already said he is ready to die. We shall see that God is not finished with Paul. It is good to remember that when we are in danger or in distress, God is still on His throne and He is able to work all things together for good for them who love Him and are the called according to His purposes. We shall see if and how God intervenes.