January 31, 2008 Acts 24:14

01/31/2008

Acts 24:14 - 16 (HCSB)

¹⁴But I confess this to you: that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I worship my fathers’ God, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

¹⁵And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.”

In this passage Paul has traveled to Jerusalem. In order to dispel rumors that he was teaching against Judaism, Paul himself, along with four other men, shaved his head and entered the Temple as part of a purification ritual. Some of the Asian Jews recognized Paul and began to make accusations, among other things, that he had brought a Gentile into the Temple.

A riot ensued and Paul was taken into custody. The local governor was cautious about handling Paul after he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen. So, he sent Paul to a higher authority. Through all this, Paul was repeatedly accused and questioned by the Jews while the governmental authorities could find no reason to hold Paul. Yet, Paul was kept under guard for at least two years before the passage above when Paul again pleads his case.

The key part of this passage is Paul’s statement: “I have a hope.” If Paul had been preaching for profit or self-adulation, then surely, being held in prison for two years would have dulled his enthusiasm. It would be easier to appease the Jews or simply stay out of Jerusalem than to face the persecution he endured. But to the contrary, we find a man who seems to be in even brighter spirits than ever before. He is in prison, has been for two years, and we have no indication that his spirit is broken.

What is the reason for this? “I have a hope,” Paul says.

Many times when we use the word “hope” we use it to indicate wishful thinking: “I hope the weather is good today.” But when Paul uses this word, he is not saying “I wish there will be a resurrection.” Rather, when Paul uses the word “hope” it denotes his absolute confidence in a future event.

This absolute confidence gave Paul the stamina to endure this and even more mistreatment for the cause of Christ.

Do you share this “hope?” Do you have absolute confidence that Christ will come to reclaim His children? Is this “hope” reflected in the way you live your life?

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