Acts 24: 10-23

Verse 10: “Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,””

When I attended college, I would pass through the main concourse of campus and frequently see two “sidewalk pastors” who used to deliver the “fire-and-brimstone” style of evangelism. Most times, even if the pair were speaking the Truth, it was lost amidst the circus-like barking and yelling that they did. I feared that most students who gathered around them (some to taunt and some to egg them on) didn’t hear the real message, because it was lost in all the noise. I guess you could call them “sideshow pastors” instead of “sidewalk pastors”!

In contrast, I had a friend from the Baptist Student Union, who also would take up a perch elsewhere along the concourse. He was a devout Christian and a good preacher himself, but he simply chose to read out loud (but not scream out loud) passages from the Word to the students as they walked by. I don’t ever recall him drawing much of a crowd, but he didn’t do what he did for show. Occasionally, I stopped just to say hey and I’d pray for him. I like to think, in his quiet way, that Bruce was able to preach the Word and reach folks just because he wasn’t “in your face”.

Paul here acted much like my friend Bruce. Both parties in this legal proceeding opened their arguments with a customary captatio benevolentiae (I found this in a footnote of my Holman Bible, it is Latin for “winning of goodwill”); it was meant to curry favor with the presiding judge. Tertullus, in my humble opinion, went way overboard in his opening, as shared previously. Paul, though, was courteous without being fawning, and acknowledged Felix’s experience as a judge to hear his defense. Paul calmly put forth “just the facts” (to paraphrase Sgt. Joe Friday of Dragnet), and gave his defense, pointing out that he had not broken any Roman laws, that his accusers had no evidence of their charges, and that the only squabble they had was of a religious nature, not political.

I have no doubt that God had His hand on Paul’s delivery. Even Felix could see through the “smoke and mirrors” approach that Tertullus and company were presenting. We need to remember Paul’s example today more than ever, especially in the rancorous climate we live in where each side of arguments clamor to be the loudest. The Truth is still the Truth, no matter how loud the lies are proclaimed.

Something to think about.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Acts 24: 1-9

Verse 3: “we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.”

Prince John sat suspiciously on his outdoor throne, waiting for the archery tournament to commence. He was hoping that Robin Hood would try to compete and thus schemed to capture him. A large well-dressed regal bear sauntered up to his throne box.

“Ah, me lord!” he said bowing before Prince John. “My esteemed royal sovereign of the realm. The head man himself! You’re…beautiful!” he lavishly praised the monarch.

Prince John’s mood perked up, as he turned to his royal adviser, Sir Hiss. “He has style, eh, Hiss? Du savoir faire illiad, nes pas, est.” the lion chuckled, vainly attempting to use French to impress the stranger.

“You took the words right out of my mouth, PJ!” the stranger said. “PJ! I like that, do you know I do? Hiss, put it on my luggage! PJ…Ha-ha, ah-ha, ha HAH! PJ, yesss.” said the prince agreeably.

The suspicious Sir Hiss extended his neck toward the stranger’s face. “Humph. And you? WHO might you be, sir?” “I am Sir Reginald, Duke of Chutney,” said the duke haughtily, straightening his monocle. He then took Sir Hiss’s hat and plopped it across the snake’s nose. “…and don’t stick out your tongue at me, kid.”

“And now, your mightiness, allow me to lay some protocol on you,” Sir Reginald said, as he knelt before Prince John to kiss his royal paw, as was custom. Prince John hastily withdrew his hand, “Oh, no, no, forgive me, but I lose more jewels that way.” remembering how he had lost his rings to some thieving fortune-telling gypsies earlier. “Uh, please sit down.” he said, offering the seat next to the throne to Sir Reginald.

“Thanks, PJ, couldn’t get a better seat than this, could you, the royal box!” Sir Reginald squirmed in the seat as Sir Hiss tried to get out from under him. He pulled the bedraggled snake out from underneath him. “Oh, uh, excuse me, buster.”

“BUSSSTER?” complained Hiss. “You, sssir, have taken my ssseat!” Both Prince John and Sir Reginald started chuckling and laughing. “Hiss, with you around, who needs a court jester?!” Sir Hiss’s countenance dropped, as Prince John dismissed him to keep an eye out for Robin Hood…little dreaming that now seated beside him was Robin’s right hand bandit, Little John, in disguise!

The following scene was from Walt Disney’s 1973 animated movie, Robin Hood; it was one of my personal favorites and cast the characters as animals.

The sullen Prince John, ignoring the wiser advice of Sir Hiss, and in his arrogance, falls for the flowery praise and false compliments of a total stranger. In other words, Little John, “played him like a fiddle”!

Vain compliments are nothing new. Behold here, as the Roman governor Felix hears Paul’s case. He firsts listens to his accusers’ charges. Tertullus speaks for the assembled high priest and his elders. Other than “factually” attempt to just lay out the charges, he lays the praise and flattery on thick towards Felix. Read the passage and you will see he laid out more flattery than whipped cream on a hot fudge sundae! Even though the Jews didn’t like Roman rule, they were not above using it to their advantage, when they could.

Don’t despair at the verbal bribery, though. It happens all the time in this world, even today. Paul goes next with his defense, and when the Lord is your counselor, the truth will win out!

More to come.

Read Full Post »