Paul stands before the Sanhedrin

The Roman captain sends Paul to stand before the Jews so that he can discover what they had against him.

Paul defends his integrity.

There is no record of formal accusations being leveled against Paul.

What we do see is that Paul is intently studying his audience.

The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 members plus the High Priest.

They represented the highest religious, political, and civil court in Judaism.

Certainly, Paul would have recognized some of the men gathered.

For whatever reason, Paul opens by confidently and boldly asserting his innocence.

The High Priest does not appreciate Paul’s words, and has him struck.

Striking someone in the mouth is a common reaction in this region still.

It’s one of the fastest ways to shut someone up and get their attention.

Lips bleed easily, also.

This action might have been common in the field, but it was against the Law and shouldn’t have happened in this type of forum.

Paul responds with condemnation.

He tells the High Priest that God will smite him.

Though Paul doesn’t know that the man who had him struck was the High Priest, his words are prophetic.

Indeed, Ananias would be killed by an assassin.

He also calls Ananias a whited wall.

For not knowing Ananias, Paul is right on with what is recorded about him in history.

Josephus described him as insolent, hot-tempered, profane, and greedy.

Other historical sources tell us that Ananias was one of the worst high priests the nation ever had. He stole money from the other priests and used every political trick to enlarge his power.

Finally, he accuses Ananias of breaking the law while accusing him of the same.

This is when someone that stood nearby tells Paul that he is talking about the High Priest.

It’s hilarious that he calls him “God’s High Priest,” given what we know about the man.

Paul reveals that he was unaware of the High Priest’s identity.

Had he known he would not have said what he said, even if it was true.

Paul knew that it was wrong to speak ill of a person in authority, even if you disagree with them.

All of this leads Paul to change his approach to his defense.

Remember, Paul is essentially a lawyer, and a good one.

He is a quick thinker, and he can change his approach on the fly.

Paul discerns that the Sanhedrin is fractured between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

He decides to use this to his advantage.

He identifies with the Pharisees.

Paul actually comes from a heritage of Pharisees.

His father was a Pharisee, and many believe his grandfather was as well.

Paul tries to make a connection with some of his audience.

He claims that he is being targeted because of his belief in the resurrection.

This was one of the major distinctions between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Paul is not lying either.

It was the appearance of the resurrected Jesus on the the road to Damascus that had brought them all to this point.

If it wasn’t for the resurrection, Paul would not be standing before them, he would probably be sitting with them.

Hearing this, the two groups turn their attention from Paul and begin to fight one another.

Paul’s claim is successful in diverting attention.

There arose a great dissension.

The council was divided.

There arose a great cry from among them.

Paul had cleverly tapped into the deep seated hatred that these two groups had for each other.

But, he is also successful in convincing some of the Pharisees.

This point is a little more shaky, but look at what some of the Pharisees have to say about Paul.

We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

At the very least, they are willing to accept that Paul might be working for God.

As the noise of the conflict increases, the Roman captain learns of the commotion and sends soldiers to go collect Paul.

The Sadducees are trying to take him.

The Pharisees are trying to protect him.

The captain is afraid that they will tear Paul into pieces.

So, Rome swoops in and takes Paul back into the safety of the castle.

Paul is safe, but who should get the credit?

There are a lot of actors at play, here.

Some say Paul is safe because of his cleverness.

Some say Paul is safe because the pharisees rallied to one of their own.

Some say Paul is safe because of the Roman captain’s intervention.

Before we make a hero out of any one of these different players, allow me to direct your attention to verse 11.

Something happens the night after all of this went down with the Sanhedrin.

Paul receives a special visitor.

Read verse 11.

I can’t even begin to tell you how powerful this verse has been in my life this week.

Be of good cheer, Paul.

I have repeated that to myself over and over and over.

Paul can be of good cheer, because Jesus is not finished with him.

Paul can be of good cheer, because Jesus has never left him.

The hero of Paul’s protection throughout all that he has experienced, is the same hero from his testimony.

It’s the risen Jesus.

Jesus has and will continue to preserve Paul’s life.

Jesus has a plan for Paul, and no enemy of the gospel will derail those plans.

This morning, I want us all to take a step back from the problems in our life and realize that we can be of good cheer because Jesus is the hero of our story too.

When you set out to live for Jesus, it is not a question of if you will face opposition, but when.

Opposition may be internal, it may come from other humans, or it may be spiritual warfare.

It may be temptation, it may be persecution, it may be distraction, or it may be discouragement.

It will come.

The more committed you are in living out the gospel, the more of a target you will attract.

We really shouldn’t be surprised by this.

Do you think satan wants a gospel-focused employee at your place of work?

Do you think satan wants a gospel-focused church in Collinsville?

The answer is NO!

So, opposition will come in whatever way it needs to come to get you knocked of track.

You may be thinking, I’ll never let these things get my focus off of Jesus.

I am too strong for that.

I am too clever for that.

I’ve faced worse before and I stayed true.

I, I, I, I.

You sir, you ma’am, are not due the credit for making through temptation, discouragement or temptation any more than Paul was.

Did Paul craft his own testimony, or did Jesus give it to him?

Did Paul choose to be born a Roman citizen, or did Jesus do that for him?

Did Paul choose to be born into a family of pharisees, or did Jesus orchestrate that?

The reason that Paul could be of good cheer was because his past, present, and future were in the hands of the same Jesus that had appeared to him when he got saved.

The same is true for us.

When we live for Jesus, we can be of good cheer, no matter what.

Some falsely accuses you, be of good cheer.

Facing intense temptation, be of good cheer,

Struggling with distractions, be of good cheer.

Discouraged, be of good cheer.

You aren’t the hero of your story, Jesus is, and he’s got this.