Day 279: Acts 21:26–36

When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the mob’s violence, for the mass of people were following and yelling, “Kill him!” (vv. 35–36).

As we saw in yesterday’s reading, Paul met welcome acceptance from some of the believers in Jerusalem. He met discouraging apprehension from others. Sadly, he also met a third reception: accusation. Imagine the moment. Paul and the Asian Jews, who had given him so much trouble in Ephesus, saw each other. I have a feeling Paul thought, “Oh, no!” and the Asian Jews thought, “Oh, yes!” They stirred up the crowd in the temple, the entire city fell into an uproar, and they grabbed Paul and tried to beat him to death. Can you imagine what the apostle was thinking? Surrounded by such a mob, I’m sure he thought he was about to draw his last breath. I can hardly imagine being beaten by one person. What would it be like to be beaten by a gang?

Did Paul recall the image of the prophet Agabus tied up with his belt? Paul had expected to be seized, but I’m not sure expectation and preparation are always synonymous. I don’t think Paul was prepared for a mob to keep shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth—it’s a disgrace for him to live!” (Acts 22:22 hcsb). Was he ready for hatred and wholesale rejection by the people he would have given his life for? I’m not sure how adequately a person can prepare for such pain.

Later, in his letter to the Philippians (3:10), Paul made a reference to wanting the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. Paul received Christ by faith, knew Christ by name, but came face-to-face with Christ through experience. He spoke to Him through prayer. He grew in Him through the Word. But this particular day, Paul experienced a fellowship in His sufferings unlike any he had ever encountered.

Both Christ and Paul knew suffering was inevitable. Both Christ and Paul knew they would end up giving their lives—One as the Savior of the world, the other as His servant. Both grieved over Jerusalem. Both felt compelled to return to the holy city. Both knew the horror of being swept up in an angry mob. Both experienced the newness of every rejection. But no matter how many times it comes, one can hardly prepare for people who wish you dead. Paul did not know what would happen to him, but he did know Christ. As the apostle fellowshipped in His sufferings, he had never known Jesus better.