TMI

Text: Acts 22:1-23

Theme: Paul didn’t back down from telling the truth, the needed truth, and nothing but the truth.

Key verses: “‘Brothers and esteemed fathers,’ Paul said, ‘listen to me as I offer my defense.’ When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Then Paul said, ‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus…and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison…” (v. 1-4). ‘”‘As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ (v. 6-7) “‘I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ (v. 10). “‘Then (Ananias) told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ ‘After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.'” (v. 14-18). “‘But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’ The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, ‘Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!'” (v. 21-22).

What I believe God said to me: Paul was a master at knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. At the same time, Paul wasn’t afraid of saying everything that needed to be said. Think about the situation he was in here and the audience that was listening to his defense. Why did he mention the Gentiles? Imagine if he’s stopped short of that and left it at how he got saved and how he’d tried to minister first in Jerusalem. Wouldn’t it have been sufficient to talk about his bloodline and education as a Jew? Wouldn’t it have made more common safety sense to emphasize his connections with his audience? They listened as long as he was doing those things. But as soon as he mentioned that one hot-button word, “Gentiles,” they went ballistic. They couldn’t stand the thought of someone taking their doctrines and beliefs to another group. They were the chosen ones; they were the only ones who had the privilege of true religion. In their minds, the Jews were God’s people–not those worthless Gentiles. Paul knew exactly how they felt. He used to fell the same way. Before meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, he had the same disgust for the Gentiles that they still had. Paul surely knew how they would react when he mentioned those “other people.” So, why did Paul do it? Why further risk his safety and assure his condemnation from them? Paul shared what many would say was too much information. But Paul wasn’t interested in his own safety or convenience. Paul had one goal in mind. He had one mission to fulfill. And that was to preach the Gospel to whomever would hear it–regardless whether they were Jews or Gentiles. Had Paul not gone as far as to include the Gentiles in his address, then he would not have presented the true, Gospel message of the Cross. Jesus didn’t just die for the Jews; he died for the entire world. And it was Paul’s mandate to proclaim that very truth to all who would listen. There is more to this story, more that happened to Paul as a result of his seemingly failed defense. But no matter what comes next, know this. Paul didn’t fail in that moment. He stood up for the truth. He stayed faithful to his calling to proclaim hope for the Gentiles and Jews alike. Your take-away from this, Dwayne, is to never back down from saying what needs to be said–even if you know it might offend the other person or set them off and cause them to rebuff you. You can’t be concerned with such things. Hard truth is still truth. The truth is what sets people free from their bondages of unbelief and misunderstandings.

What I said to God: Father, thank You for speaking to me today. Every chapter, every verse I read about Paul’s life and witness helps me understand better how I too should live and walk and minister to others. It’s good to meet with You today and be assured once again of Your daily mercies and love. You are truly an awesome, awesome God. You are my Jehovah-Jireh, my Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my Jehovah-Shamma. You are El-Shaddai and El-Elyon. You are my Master and Savior and Lord. I worship You alone.