When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
Members of our church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas shared about their terrifying experience during a tornado. They lived in a mobile home, so they knew they couldn’t stay in it with the storm coming. And come it did! It was bearing down on them when they went outside and into a ditch. Her husband literally shoved her into a culvert for safety. It was so traumatic that when she spoke of it years later her voice was still shaky. But in a dire situation, you must find rescue and shelter anywhere you are able.
Paul seems to be in such a state. He was being beaten, and was in danger of his life. The people who had set their sights on him were intent on his harm – even his death. The crowd was shouting, “Away with him!” Even after the Tribune and his soldiers arrived Paul was still in danger of his life. He had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd.
Many years ago I was taking my canoeing merit badge test at Boy Scout camp. I got myself tangled as I as trying to make a temporary flotation device with my shirt. I remember the panic I felt when I couldn’t get it over my head. I finally succeeded and earned the badge for my efforts. But there was a moment when I would have taken help from anyone in any form it was offered – when I feared that I might even drown!
My fear may not have been that intense, and my situation was not quite as urgent compared to Paul. But I have an idea of how he may have felt. This was certainly a traumatic experience.
So it seems he does not protest when the Tribune and soldiers show up to rescue him. It was an Any-Port-in-a-Storm moment for him. Wherever he might find safety and rescue it would be welcome.
I notice, however, that he does not let this traumatic situation move him away from his mission. When the danger has passed – or rather when he is no longer in imminent danger – he will ask to speak. Guess what he will talk about…or who? We’ll talk about that tomorrow…
David Bahn - Reflections 
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