Scripture

 

Vs 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul … because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

Vs 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”

 

Vs 15 the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

VS 19  … they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

 

Vs 27 “For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

 

Observation

 

The religious leaders are condemning Paul.

They don’t just want him convicted of a crime.

They want him dead and gone.

The Roman leaders don’t have a problem necessarily with this, they just need a reason for it.

 

And Paul, himself, stuck in the middle of these groups lays out his defense …

He is not against Jerusalem.

He is not against Rome.

He is FOR Jesus … The One who was dead and now alive!

 

Application

 

In my role as a “religious leader”, how am I using judgement?

As a tool for condemnation?

Or a tool for discernment?

 

What is my motivation for using judgment?

To determine threats against me?

Or to discern threats against Jesus?

 

The religious leaders were motivated by perceived threats against their own power.

And they were condemning as a result.

 

I must be discerning in circumstances,

But always lift Jesus up!

Rather than condemn others.

 

Jesus was dead and now alive! … This is over all arguments and judgements

Jesus was dead and is now alive!

However unreasonable as it may sound to people … This is what’s true!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for Truth

Help me to be discerning and not condemning when judgement is necessary.

In Jesus name,

Amen