Day 282: Acts 22:22–29

The commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be examined with the scourge, so he could discover the reason they were shouting (v. 24).

On a human scale we cannot judge Paul’s visit to Jerusalem a success. Perhaps his experiences in places like Athens and Jerusalem will teach us to think differently about success and failure. Hopefully we will come to understand that in our Christian lives, success is obedience to God, not results we can measure.

I’m sure Paul wanted to bear fruit in Jerusalem more than any place on earth. Yet we see him face greater opposition and struggle in Jerusalem than virtually anywhere in his ministry. In the holy city Paul was forced to measure his ministry strictly on his obedience to the Spirit, not outward results.

Unfortunately the Jews didn’t think much of Paul’s purpose on this earth. Once he acknowledged the importance of the Gentiles to God, he lost his audience. Sadly their personal need to feel superior exceeded their spiritual sensibilities.

Paul desperately wanted the Jews to receive Christ. Was he a failure because they rejected him? Was his testimony shared in vain? Absolutely not. God had compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem. He had warned him of hardships. He had given Paul an opportunity to share his testimony with the very people who had just tried to kill him.

Did they hear Paul’s message? Oh, yes. Otherwise, they would not have responded so emotionally. Few of those in hearing distance that day forgot Paul’s testimony. We cannot judge effectiveness from immediate results. According to John 14:26, the Holy Spirit can remind a person of truth taught long ago. When we obey God, we find great comfort in leaving the consequences up to Him.

Paul avoided a flogging because God equipped him with Roman citizenship even before his birth. God used every ounce and detail of Paul’s past, even his unique citizenship. I want God to use every ounce of me too. Paul poured himself out like a drink offering in Jerusalem. He received little encouragement to preach while he was there—but he continued. Paul’s certainty of what he had been called to do was exceeded only by his certainty of who called. Paul considered Him who called worth it all.