And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
What’s it all about Alfie is a song connected to the movie, Alphie. Alphie is a young, womanising man leading a self-centred life, focused on his own enjoyment until events force him to question his uncaring behaviour, his loneliness, and his priorities. The song asks some good questions:
What’s it all about AlfieIs it just for the moment we live
What’s it all aboutWhen you sort it out, AlfieAre we meant to take more than we giveOr are we meant to be kind?
And if, if only fools are kind, AlfieThen I guess it is wise to be cruelAnd if life belongs only to the strong, AlfieWhat will you lend on an old golden rule?
It’s not quite the same, but it certainly is reflective of an even more profound question of life and death. The song, however, does not ask the more ultimate question. That is what is at stake here in this encounter between Paul and the Council. It is the ultimate question about life and death and more – the life and death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and Lord.
The row was initially about Paul’s claim to have been sent by Jesus to the Gentiles. That’s what got things started (cf. Acts 22:21-22). But the singular claim that Jesus is Lord of all, that he rose from the dead, and that he truly does have all authority in heaven and on earth (cf. Matthew 28:18). Every knee will one day bow to Jesus. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We live under Christ in his kingdom by faith, for these realities are visible now only by faith.
This is a constant struggle for the faithful Jesus follower. We see so much evidence to the contrary. It does not appear to us that Jesus is reigning and ruling in the world today. Nevermind that Jesus himself called Satan the prince or ruler of this world (cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). We would rather Jesus show up now and put things right. We would love not to have to face temptation, struggle with sin, or need to repent. It’s hard to live as though the tomb is actually empty.
But the tomb is empty. And Paul and thousands since his time have given their lives – literally and figuratively – for the sake of Jesus’ message of life and salvation. Because Jesus has been raised from the dead, we know that he has been vindicated, our sins have been forgiven, and salvation has been won.
There are those who violently object to this message. Whether it takes the form of blasphemous kitsch and gaudy perversions or group executions of Christians by the Islamic State, Jesus has some serious enemies. And so do we. We battle against not only the world, but also the devil and our own sinful flesh. Thank God Jesus has overcome the world, died for our sins, conquered the devil and been raised from the dead.
It’s all about Jesus, Alphie. It’s all about Jesus, and Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth. Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
David Bahn - Reflections 
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