Scripture
As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him.
Observation
Paul goes to see James and the elders of the Jerusalem church. He tells them everything that happened on his missionary journeys.
The elders report that in Jerusalem some of the Jews there have been telling the believers that Paul has been telling Jewish believers that they no longer have to follow the Law of Moses. To correct this misinformation, they arrange for Paul to go to the Temple with four believers who have completed a vow.
When they arrive at the Temple, some agitators start a riot over Paul’s presence. The Jews start beating Paul. Word reaches the Roman military leader, and he dispatches a platoon to quell the riot.
Unable to find out the cause of the trouble, the commander orders Paul to be taken to the fortress. As they arrive there, Paul asks for permission to address the crowd.
Application
It seems that wherever Paul went trouble soon started. This is not because of anything that Paul did that was inherently wrong. It was from jealousy and fear that people started to become violent.
The riots were started by the same kinds of people who start riots in our own day. There were two factors explicitly mentioned here.
1. False information. Information was spread about Paul’s ministry to both Jews and Gentiles. They claimed he was telling Jewish believers to abandon their traditions and customs. This was not true.
False information is often a flash point for violent behaviour.
2. False accusations. The agitators claimed that Paul had brought a Gentile into the Temple. People made assumptions about Paul’s actions.
It is easy to manipulate people by feeding them false information and then making false charges.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Satan is the father of lies. Follower of Jesus must make sure that we always speak truth rather than lies.
Prayer
Holy Spirit speak your truth into my heart. Give me discernment so that I can always distinguish truth from deception. Amen.
