Acts 23:11-24 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem… Manifold are the powers which are acting upon our spirit and deciding our course and destiny. Some of these are suggested by this narrative. I. THE MALEVOLENT HUMAN. (Vers. 12-15.) In this case human malevolence took a very violent and malignant form: it sought to compass Paul's death by a dark and shameless stratagem. More often it seeks to do us injury for which we shall suffer, but from which we may recover. The very worst form which it assumes is that of aiming at our spiritual integrity, leading us into sin and so into shame and death. II. THE INDIFFERENT HUMAN. (Vers. 18-24.) The Roman-centurion, chief captain, soldier - took no special interest in Paul, and had no prejudice against him. He regarded the whole matter in a professional light, and acted in simple and strict accordance with his habits of obedience and command. Around us is human law, human custom, human society - with this we must lay our account. It will proceed on its usual course, like a train upon the lines laid down for it, with small concern for our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows. If we take heed, we may avail ourselves of its help; if we are indiscreet, it wilt dash against us unpityingly. So far as we may do so and can do so, we must order ourselves so as to benefit by its strong force. III. THE BENIGNANT HUMAN. (Vers. 16-21.) Paul's sister induced her son to interpose, and the young man (or, youth) played his delicate and dangerous part well, intervening between these sanguinary schemers and their illustrious victim. We may hope for positive sympathy and active aid from (1) those who are closely and tenderly related to us; (2) those who are young, and therefore open to many admirable inspirations (obedience, pity, courage, aspiration, etc.); (3) those who have spiritual affinities with us, to whom we are brethren or fathers "in the Lord." IV. THE DIVINE. (Ver. 16.) At this troublous and anxious time, when Paul was cut off from fellowship with the disciples, the Master himself drew near to him. He came with his comforting presence and his cheering word. He did not fail his servant then; nor will he fail his faithful followers now. We may reckon upon (1) his comforting presence with us; (2) his word of promise and cheer; (3) his summons to bear witness in the future as in the past: "As thou hast testified... so must thou," etc. While all these powers are acting upon us, we must play our own part manfully, or the issue will be unfavorable (ver. 17). When all is done for or against us, we must make our own choice, decide for ourselves which of the two paths we will pursue, at which gate we shall be found when the journey of life is over (.Galatians 6:4, 5). - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. |
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