Acts 23:1-11 | CourageÀpẹrẹ

Courage to Press On

“The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them” (Acts 22:30, NIV)

Here he is. Before the Sanhedrin. That’s where we left off.

Paul went to Jerusalem despite repeated warnings from believers of what would happen to him if he did. Paul went to the temple at the behest of James in an attempt to show the people of Jerusalem that he was not against the law of Moses, as they were saying. Paul found himself rushed by an angry mob, protected by the Romans, then nearly tortured by them, and testifying before the very people who attacked him that Jesus is the Righteous One of God who sent him. Attacked again. Rescued again, and now, like Jesus had done once before him, he finds himself brought before the Sanhedrin by the Romans, who don’t know what to do with him.

Here’s where we pick up. Paul testifying before them.

This week we’re looking at Acts 23:1-11. It’s an escalation scene between Paul and his people, going head-to-head with the Jerusalem rulers.

What should he say? What should he do? Acquiesce? Try to please them? Downplay his mission from Christ? It would be hard to blame him if he did. Paul has already faced so much, demonstrating courage in the face of fear over and over again. It would be understandable to want to tap out. But faith is about commitment. And that calls for courage to press on.

Acts 23 is a picture of courage pressing on, and courage in the face of things outside our control. The courage to keep going comes from trusting Jesus, who will have the final word.

Today

Read what happens. Then, memorize a short, courage-boosting Bible passage and repeat it in the face of fear, or when you feel overwhelmed.