Are You Guilty or Innocent?

Acts 24:1 says, “Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.”

Observation: Paul pretty much lived his ministry life in jail. He was always causing “trouble” by telling people that Jesus was the only way to God. He would go into the synagogues, streets, homes, wherever he went, he was preaching Jesus. And this time was again before a judge being convicted by the high priests and elders of the synagogues. They were accusing him of causing unrest within the people. He was essentially asking questions that people didn’t want to hear, and giving answers that were not very Jewish at the time.

Listen to their complaints in Acts 24, “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

Paul was being charged with going against the system. What was it that allowed him to never back down? I think if you and I had been blinded by the light from Jesus, told what to do, healed, and sent on our way, we probably wouldn’t be so quick to back down from a spiritual or cultural fight.

Application: If I was put on trial for going against the system, what would I be charged with? If I landed myself in jail, once I was released would I keep on preaching or would I turn and run to stay out of “trouble?” I would love to think that I would have the same determination as Paul, but I can’t say for sure because I have not been tested the same way he was. I do hope that I can be accused of preaching Jesus and asking questions that cause people to question their own belief system. What do you believe? Why? Are you willing to stand up and defend it no matter the cost?

Prayer: God, let the things that people say about me condemn me of being a follower of the Way, a sold out follower of Jesus Christ. Let me not back down when my convictions are leading me. Today, give me the strength to stand up for what is right no matter the cost I would pay.