S) "21 And He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'
22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!'"
Acts 22:21-22 (NASB)
O) Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem, just as he expected (see Acts 21:11). When the men at the temple were stirring, the commander of a Roman cohort heard there was a riot forming, and came to Paul's rescue. It's noteworthy that the Roman officer wasn't really concerned with the religious dispute, so much as he was keeping the peace. In doing so, he was going to take Paul into his barracks for his own safety, until the matter could be settled legally. Before going in, Paul asked if he could address the crowd, and because of Paul's pedigree, he was allowed. This is where chapter 21 starts, as Paul began addressing the crowd in Hebrew. As he was giving his testimony, all was going well - inasmuch as the people weren't rioting, violently trying to get to Paul. They were a captive audience, all the way through Paul's testimony, right up to the point that Jesus told Paul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. At that point, the people could no longer restrain themselves, as they snapped back into their mob mentality.
A) This verse is a solemn warning, a cautionary tale, about giving testimony. By no means, should fear ever dictate my actions. Regardless of whether the action is good or bad, if it is driven by fear, then it's still not the way I should behave. So, it makes no more sense for me to be scared out of testifying, than it would be for me to be scared into sharing my testimony. But, what Paul's example reminds me, is that people will reject my testimony, even suddenly, because of their own hardened hearts. It really has nothing to do with me, or the words I choose. This was surely not the first time Paul had shared what happened to him. In fact, I would reckon that he had his testimony pretty well rehearsed. When I am telling people what God has done, to me and in me, they certainly could be taking well, up to some point. I should not be surprised - or discouraged - that they might suddenly turn and reject my words. It is not up to me to force anyone to accept the truth when I tell it, it is only up to me to tell it. They might accept the majority of my witness, and only reject one part of it. There could be any point in my own testimony, that could be hard for a person to accept. That simple rejection might very well be enough for them to reject the whole. If it is, I can only hope and pray that God softens their heart, opens their eyes, and opens their ears.
P) Father, Your grace and goodness deserve to be shared. Your righteousness and power deserve to be feared. Let me fear You alone, Lord. Help me to cast aside any fear of men. You alone know the heart of a man. It is not really for me to know if a person will accept or reject my testimony. I cannot see the condition of their heart. It is only up to me to share, and if they accept it or reject it, I can go from there. So, let me follow Paul's example, in boldly proclaiming what You have done for me. Let me share what Jesus has done to me and in my life. If people hear me out, and accept it, then hallelujah. If people reject me because of the Name, then hallelujah. But, let me be bold and courageous, regardless of if, or when, they stop listening. Be glorified, and let Your will be done in my life and in the world. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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