Acts 23:1-11 | CourageÀpẹrẹ

Courage and Wisdom

“I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6, NIV).

Like the US Congress dividing between Republicans and Democrats, there were two parties in the Sanhedrin, too – Pharisees and Sadducees. Two groups with different agendas and radically different views on the best course for the future of the nation and its relationship to God.

Paul knew it. And Paul knew what he was doing.

Like Jesus, Paul aligned more with the Pharisees, particularly in relation to theological beliefs. Paul himself just told the crowd, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today” (Acts 22:3, NIV).

Ironic, since it was the Pharisees who were some of Jesus’s harshest opponents, and up until now, some of Paul’s harshest opponents, too. Because for many people, there’s nothing worse than a traitor.

Paul knew some of the key divides were about the resurrection and the afterlife, not to mention angels and spirits. And it was the resurrection that, for Paul, changed everything. It was the risen Jesus appearing to him that altered his life forever. It was coming face-to-face with the risen Jesus that made Paul realize just who Jesus is, and just what a wrong road he was on. Without resurrection, there is no risen Jesus.

So he shouts, “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6, NIV). He raises his flag, stakes his claim, and boldly states what the real issue is, knowing the divide in the Sanhedrin and using it to his advantage. Godly courage blends boldness with wisdom. It isn’t recklessness, but knowing when and how to speak for the greatest impact.

Paul flips the script. No longer is it Paul against the Sanhedrin. Now it’s Sanhedrin against Sanhedrin, and Paul with some of them!

God has a way of doing that – flipping the script on his accusers. It calls for patience at times, and we might even have to wait until Christ comes again to be vindicated, but that’s why God will tell us to trust our future vindication and any desire for revenge in the present to him.

People like to put God on trial, accusing him for all kinds of suffering in this world, for lack of concern, or for broken promises. But as Albert Mohler will say, “God often flips the script on our expectations. Like Jesus before the authorities in the Gospels, the interrogated becomes the interrogator. The Sanhedrin will not judge Paul; God will judge the Sanhedrin. As the narrative progresses in the next several chapters, Luke reveals that nobody interrogates the gospel – rather, it is the gospel which interrogates all who hear its words of conviction (Acts 13-28 for You).

Courage isn’t just about knowing when to speak. Courage is standing in Christ’s hope and putting your future in his hands, even when it might cost you. Even when you know people will disagree. Even when you know some will call you a fool or judge you. Paul writes that the message of Christ crucified (and raised) is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, the power and wisdom of God.

Today

Pray for discernment in your next hard conversation. Ask God to give you both courage to speak and wisdom to know how.