By your fruits, you shall know them…
What I find perhaps most pronounced about Acts chapter 23 is the irony. A dramatic contrast unfolds between how Paul is treated first by the “religious” leaders of the Jewish chief priests and Sanhedrin, versus the treatment he receives from hundreds of Roman soldiers who, however respected for their military strength, were considered pagan heathens by the sanctimonious Jews. Before the Sanhedrin and chief priests, Paul is beaten and belittled, saved only when he himself distracts the mob with a clever diversion, that pitted Pharisee against Sadducee in an almost comical debate. As we pick up the narrative in verse 12, we see that the incensed Jews take their feverish anger even a step further, as more than 40 men conspire with an oath not to eat nor drink until they have killed Paul.
Their murderous plan is foiled, however, when Paul’s sister’s son learns of the plot, informs Paul, who then had the young man tell the Roman commander of the scheme. Notice the integrity of the Roman commander who seems to genuinely want to protect Paul — as well as Paul’s nephew, who he takes gently by the hand to hear him speak, and who then advises him to not tell anyone of their conversation. The commander, who has already rescued Paul earlier in the chapter from the aforementioned violent Jewish mob, this time sends an entourage of no less than 470 soldiers, horsemen and spearmen to escort Paul at night to Cesarea to ensure his safety. The commander also writes a letter to be given to the Governor, in which he seems to sincerely endorse Paul’s innocence of any serious crime.
All of this begs the question: between the so-called religious people, and the godless Roman soldiers, who behaved more righteously? I’m reminded of Jesus’ words in Matt 7:16… It’s not by what people say or profess, but rather “By their fruit, you will recognize them.”
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Reminds me of the statement I read a few days ago: “The reason we don’t see repentance in the world is because the world doesn’t see much repentance in the church”.