David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 22:22-30

Up to this word they listened to [Paul]. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

I am reminded of the line from the movie Men in Black: “You have no idea who you are dealing with Son.” I recall an occasion when my son asked a would-be bully, “Do you know my friend Mike?” Mike was big and bad, and his name saved my son from a lot of trouble. It was one of those moments on this occasion where Paul seemingly casually asks the centurion, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” Oops! Let’s rewind that tape!

The prospect of being “examined by flogging” is something I would never wish to face. But it is but a footnote to the larger story of Paul’s witness and preaching of the Gospel. This is not a treatise against unjust brutality toward prisoners. Luke mentions only that Paul asks the question and the centurion quickly withdrew. Even the tribune was afraid; it was his job to protect the ordinary citizens from unjust treatment and apparently he nearly failed to do his duty on this occasion.
All this unfolds as prelude to the next day’s session with Paul and the chief priests and council. Paul will have an opportunity to declare the gospel once again. He could decide to play up his unjust treatment and threaten trouble for those who falsely accuse him. He will not do that, however. As we will see Paul is not above using political and even theological controversies to his advantage. But make no mistake, his main objective is not to get out of jail. His objective is to proclaim Jesus as Lord.
The question that begs for answer here is, Why are these people so utterly intent on bringing down Paul? What danger does he pose? It is the same question I would ask about Kenneth Bae, the American missionary being held in North Korea: What threat does he pose to the North Korean government or people? It is the question I would also pose to the vociferous people who mock and ridicule Pro-Life proponents.
On this 41st anniversary of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in all 50 states, I have another question: What protection does the unborn child have in the face of this violent act? What danger do those children pose?
Thank God that Paul’s off-hand question allowed him to live to preach the gospel another day. What question might you ask that would give opportunity for the gospel to be heard – by one yet unborn, or by a neighbor, coworker, or friend?