Acts 25:13-27 | Paul on TrialSample

Mirroring the Life of Jesus

Not that innocence always matters. Jesus was innocent, and they still killed him.

Expect the same.

It doesn’t matter that Jesus was the very incarnation of God bringing the very word of God and presence of God to a fallen world. The world didn’t want him. It doesn’t matter if his gospel is the source of hope and healing for a lost and fallen world. It will still reject it. It doesn’t matter if you are godly and innocent.

Not all people, of course. Some will see clearly. But you won’t avoid being mischaracterized, maligned, or ostracized, completely. Jesus says so himself, “You will be hated by everyone because of me” (Matt 10:22 – NIV).

Acts shows it with those first disciples. We see it with Paul. Innocent. Innocent. Innocent. And yet.

Here he is. In jail. On trial. Facing death threats. Plots against him. All because of Jesus. Just because of his loyalty to him and his way.

There’s an uncanny resemblance between the way Luke tells Paul’s story and Jesus’s own trial. Both are accused by the religious leaders. Both appear before a Herod. Both stand trial before the Romans. Both have their innocence declared by a Roman governor. Jesus is killed anyway. Unjustly. It begs the question. What will happen to Paul?

The Bible says this: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil 1:29 – NIV).

And this: “Now if we are [God’s] children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:17-18 – NIV).

And this: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Pet 4:16 – NIV).

So Paul writes this: “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Col 1:24 – NIV).

The way of a Christian is the way of Jesus. Don’t be surprised when your life mirrors his. Suffering is nobody’s friend. But if you suffer for Christ, count it an honor.