Tag Archives: soldiers

ACTS THE SEQUEL…HURRY UP AND WAIT – 58

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“He wrote a letter as follows: Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings…So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭25‬-‭26‬, ‭31‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The commander of the barracks in Jerusalem thankfully handed Paul over to the authorities in Caesarea with a letter of explanation. Paul was a hot potato! He was a Roman citizen in trouble over a religious issue with the religious leaders in Jerusalem. He was accused of behaviour that enraged the Jewish authorities but…he had no idea what to do. This was a matter for judgement that he could not give as a military officer. Best the governor of the province handle it. 

So, Paul was catapulted into a situation where he was told to hurry up and wait! Roman and Jewish law demanded that he face his accusers and defend himself in their presence but…they were in Jerusalem and he was in Caesarea. So, once again, he had to kick his heels in uncertainty, in prison, until his accusers came to lay their charges against him. 

“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. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It seems that a Roman lawyer, a man with a Roman name, was engaged to present the charges…a well-oiled, trumped up case, padded with flattery and lacking in evidence. What kind of lawyer was that? He presented Paul’s case, not as a charge to be investigated but as a verdict already decided. Who was the “we”…where were the witnesses…what evidence did they bring…was the guilty verdict beyond reasonable doubt? None of this! Only “we have found this man…guilty as charged.”

“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.” The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭

Non only did this crooked lawyer express his verdict…Paul was guilty of all the charges laid against him… but he also suggested that Felix, the governor, would also reach the same conclusion. 

“By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

How could Felix determine Paul’s guilt or innocence without genuine evidence or credible witnesses? Even the Jews who came from Jerusalem had nothing to say except assent to the verdict. Accusations carry no weight without evidence. 

Fortunately for Paul, he was given the opportunity to speak for himself. 

“When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul’s defence was long, detailed, and credible… no flattery…no buttering up the governor…He  told his story simply from beginning to end. He even called on witnesses who could verify his story if they were there. Not even those present could accuse Paul of criminal conduct. 

“But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The witnesses, who should have been there to corroborate the charges, were absent. The crowd who heard his defence before the Sanhedrin were also missing. There were plenty of people who could have spoken for Paul. His only crime was to believe in the resurrection. What sort of crime was that…especially in the ears of a Roman, pagan judge?

“Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Felix was trapped. He knew that Paul was innocent but, at the same time, he wanted to placate the Jews. What was he to do? Pass the buck! Give someone else the responsibility of deciding Paul’s fate. “So, Paul, here’s the plan. Hurry up and wait!”

And wait he did! For two years…incarcerated for crimes he did not commit. This was enough to drive any sane person crazy… but not Paul…

To be continued 

KING OF THE JEWS

Christian Life, ,

KING OF THE JEWS

“The soldiers also came up and poked fun at Him, making a game of it. They toasted Him with sour wine. ‘So, you’re the king of the Jews! Save yourself!’

“Printed over Him was a sign, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

“One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed Him. ‘Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!’

“But the other one made him shut up. ‘Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as Him. We deserve this but not Him — He did nothing to deserve this.’

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.’

“He said, ‘Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.'” Luke 23:36-43 (The Message).

If they had known what they were doing, would the people who were thoughtlessly mocking and taunting Jesus, ever have said and done what they did?

Surprisingly, there was only one unlikely man who understood, and he was at the point of death. Up to this moment, he was like everyone else — denying his responsibility for and ignoring the consequences of his deeds; part of a race of rebels against God, doing what he chose at the expense of others, but one of the unfortunate ones who was caught out.  Both men hanging beside Jesus were paying for their misdeeds and he finally knew it.

One was behaving in a typically human way, defiant all the way and using Jesus as a scapegoat for his angry rebellion. The other one watched Jesus’ reaction to the torture and listened to His gracious words of forgiveness. He was not ‘religious’ but in a flash he realised that there was a world of difference between them and Jesus. Perhaps for the first time, he became aware of God and acknowledged his responsibility for his ungodly life.

His rebuke of the other criminal mirrored a reverence for the man dying beside him. Jesus was so different from any other man that he instinctively knew He was God. We might think that his plea was a last desperate effort to escape judgment. I think there was something far more noble in his request than what we give him credit for.

Those around the crosses were taunting Jesus. ‘Save yourself!’ they mocked Him, not understanding that it was the last thing He wanted to do. His response to the dying thief was the culmination of His coming to the earth. It did not matter at what stage of his life the man next to Him recognised and acknowledged who He was. All that mattered was that he had answered the question every human being must answer at some time in their lives.

‘Who do you say that I am?’ Jesus had once asked His disciples and Peter had responded, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ That is the answer that transforms a life and settles an eternal destiny.

KING OF THE JEWS! A title of contempt or a declaration of faith? For this man it was a declaration of faith and the last words he ever uttered in this life. But he died with the assurance that he would join Jesus in the presence of God because, like Peter and his fellow-disciples, he embraced Him as Messiah and rightful king of God’s people.

What tipped the scales for him? He answered that question in his comment to his fellow-criminal. “Have you no fear of God?’ His eyes were opened to the realisation that he was where he was because he had never acknowledged God or taken Him seriously. The apostle Paul diagnosed the reason for human depravity. “‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.'” Romans 3:18 (NV)

The moment we take Jesus seriously and acknowledge who He is, the truth of our accountability to Him will dawn on our souls. Like the dying thief, we will step into the realm of understanding the truth and be joined to Jesus forever. It’s not about answering an altar call or signing decision card. It’s about confessing with the mouth and the heart, “Jesus is Lord!”

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED

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THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:16-20

The Roman soldiers, though supposedly neutral, got caught up in this spectacle. Why did they treat Jesus with such contempt? Was it because of their loyalty to Rome? Were they mocking His claim to be a king? Yes, by their words and behaviour! They had Him in their power, king though He claimed to be, and they wanted to make sure that He knew it and felt it.

Viewing this scene from a broader perspective, both Jew and Gentile, representing the whole world, were drawn into the guilt of condemning and crucifying an innocent man but, more than that, the very Son of God. How terrifying the thought that they will stand before the very same Jesus whom they mocked, abused, insulted and spat on, the one whose authority and kingship they refused to take seriously, and hear His verdict on their guilt; not because He has not already pardoned them – He did that on the cross – but because they did not recognise who He was or receive His forgiveness for what they had done.

The saddest thing about Jesus’ sacrifice is that, for the vast majority of people who have ever lived and will ever live, it will have been in vain either because they did not know or because they refused to accept the forgiveness of sin His sacrifice purchased for them. Ever those who insulted, abused or crucified Him were included in His prayer, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.”

When it was all over, when they went home with their memories of the day flashing through their minds over and over again, how did they deal with the events of the day when their excuses no longer held water? How many of them chose to harden their hearts, and how many broke down in grief and repentance and received the forgiveness He uttered? How many were terrified and how many elated when He rose from the dead and the news spread around the city?

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE – KING OF THE JEWS

Bible Study, ,

KING OF THE JEWS

“The soldiers also came up and poked fun at Him, making a game of it. They toasted Him with sour wine. ‘So you’re the king of the Jews! Save yourself!’

“Printed over Him was a sign, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

“One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed Him. ‘Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!’

“But the other one made him shut up. ‘Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as Him. We deserve this but not Him — He did nothing to deserve this.’

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.’

“He said, ‘Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.'” Luke 23:36-43.

If they had known what they were doing, would the people who were thoughtlessly mocking and taunting Jesus, ever have said and done what they did?

Surprisingly, there was only one unlikely man who understood, and he was at the point of death. Up to this moment, he was like everyone else – denying his responsibility for, and ignoring the consequences of his deeds; part of a race of rebels against God, doing what he chose at the expense of others, but one of the unfortunate ones who was caught out.  Both men hanging beside Jesus were paying for their misdeeds and he finally knew it.

One was behaving in a typically human way, defiant all the way and using Jesus as a scapegoat for his angry rebellion. The other one watched Jesus’ reaction to the torture and listened to His gracious words of forgiveness. He was not ‘religious’ but in a flash he realised that there was a world of difference between them and Jesus. Perhaps for the first time, he became aware of God and acknowledged his responsibility for his ungodly life.

His rebuke of the other criminal mirrored a reverence for the man dying beside him. Jesus was so different from any other man that he instinctively knew He was God. We might think that his plea was a last desperate effort to escape judgment. I think there was something far nobler in his request than what we give him credit for.

Those around the crosses were taunting Jesus. ‘Save yourself!’ they mocked Him, not understanding that it was the last thing He wanted to do. His response to the dying thief was the culmination of His coming to the earth. It did not matter at what stage of his life the man next to Him recognised and acknowledged who He was. All that mattered was that he had answered the question every human being must answer at some time in his life.

‘Who do you say that I am?’ Jesus had once asked His disciples and Peter had responded, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ That is the answer that transforms a life and settles an eternal destiny.

KING OF THE JEWS! A title of contempt or a declaration of faith? For this man, it was a declaration of faith and the last words he ever uttered in this life. But he died with the assurance that he would join Jesus in the presence of God because, like Peter and his fellow-disciples, he embraced Him as Messiah and rightful king of God’s people.

What tipped the scales for him? He answered that question in his comment to his fellow-criminal. “Have you no fear of God?’ His eyes were opened to the realisation that he was where he was because he had never acknowledged God or taken Him seriously. The apostle Paul diagnosed the reason for human depravity. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18 (NIV)

The moment we take Jesus seriously and acknowledge who He is, the truth of our accountability to Him will dawn on our souls. Like the dying thief, we will step into the realm of understanding the truth and be joined to Jesus forever.

 

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE – PARTNERS IN CRIME

Christian life, ,

PARTNERS IN CRIME

“Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see Him; he’d heard so much about Him. He hoped to see Him do something spectacular. He peppered Him with questions. Jesus didn’t answer — not one word. But the high priests and religion scholars were there, saying their piece, strident and shrill in their accusations.

“Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent Him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.” Luke 23:8-12 (The Message).

Now it’s Herod’s turn — the other authority figure responsible for justice in the land. It took a run-in with the truth to show his true colours. He emerged as an even more unsavoury character than Pilate, who was at least honest enough to consider the accusations and acknowledge Jesus’ innocence.

To Herod, Jesus was nothing but an object of amusement and a plaything. When Jesus refused to dance to his tune, he tossed Him aside with contempt. It was not justice he was after but entertainment for his own pleasure. He led the way, giving the soldiers permission by his own attitude, to humiliate Jesus by their words and actions.

It was also the soldiers’ turn to confirm their guilt in this saga. By their behaviour, they condemned themselves to the same fate as all the others. They had no personal axe to grind with Jesus and yet they treated Him like an enemy, cornered prey that they could torment before killing because, for a short time, they had Him in their power, so they thought.

Always, in the background, the religious hierarchy pranced around like hyenas, there in force to ensure that the prey did not escape.

Each one in this unfolding drama reveals his true self and confirms his culpability before God. And so with us. The value of this record would be lost to us if we did not place ourselves somewhere in this story. We may not occupy a seat of justice or rulership but we have to face the same Jesus and make a decision regarding who He is.

Like the people directly responsible for His death, we have to come up with a verdict. Was He an imposter, guilty of blasphemy or treason, or was He the Son of God and King of kings? If we declare Him guilty as charged, we have not honestly evaluated the evidence. If we declare Him innocent, we stand guilty with those who condemned Him to death unjustly, because all humanity was represented in that act.

The sequel to this bizarre chain of events was the unlikely alliance that came about that day. In their unwillingness to fulfil their duty to serve justice on a condemned man, Pilate, the arrogant and ruthless representative of Roman government and Herod, the half-Jew playboy ruler of Galilee, joined hands in condemning Jesus to death and became partners in the worst crime ever committed by human beings. Pilate, by handing an innocent man over to the will of a religious mob and Herod, by his callous indifference, washed their hands of God then, but have to face Him again.

What about us? If we choose to wash our hands of Jesus now, as Pilate did then, we too will have to face Him again, and this time He will be in the seat of justice. His perfect justice will be to give us exactly what we want – nothing to do with Him.

Peter and his fellow disciples were equally guilty on that day. One denied and they all deserted Him, but they came back and Jesus forgave them on the same grounds that He always forgives, “They do not know what they are doing.” They had no idea of the implications of their behaviour. Neither did Pilate or Herod but they never returned to receive the same mercy and forgiveness extended to the disciples.

How much better to return now and acknowledge your part in Jesus’ death. He was the sacrificial lamb put to death for you, blood for blood, so that you may receive the gift of His life, and never have to face the judgment that would sever you from Him forever.