Acts 21: When Stupid Stuff Happens
Acts 21: 21-30:
When the seven-day period was almost over, a number of Jews from western Turkey who had seen him in the temple courts stirred up the whole crowd against him. Seizing him, they shouted, “Men of Israel, help us! This the the man who teaches everywhere what is contrary to our nation, our law, and this temple. And not only that, but now he brings these non-Jewish men with him into the inner courts of our temple! They have made this sacred place ritually unclean. (For Trophimus, an Ephesian, had been seen previously with him, and they assumed that he entered the inner courts with Paul). This ignited a huge riot . . .
A riot occurred, A Roman commander heard that the city was in an uproar. He ended up arresting Paul, but let him speak to the people.
Emotions were running high. So high, that no one bothered to check if Trophimus was actually in the temple courts with Paul. Sigh. Some ‘fact checking’ would have solved the problem. Paul was in Jerusalem, and had taken the advice of the elders in Jerusalem to try and prove that he was living according to the law of Moses. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles — but still an observant Jew.
Paul took the opportunity to speak to the people, to give his defense before them.
It was all he could do. He handled the situation well, even though he had just been arrested by a Roman commander and bound with chains.
How do I respond when ‘stupid stuff’ happens to me? Do I have the grace that Paul did? (Okay, I’ll admit it, usually I don’t.)
Also, have I ever contributed to ‘stupid stuff happening”, assuming I know the facts without checking them out?
Just a couple of things for me to think about . . .
Prayer: Father, when things happen that do not make sense to me, give me the grace to continue serving you. Lord Jesus, you are worthy to be served, no matter what the circumstances are. Amen.
CC: K Carswell 2022
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.