Paul Before the Sanhedrin
Open Your Bible
Acts 21:37-40, Acts 22:1-11, Acts 23:1-11, Hebrews 10:19-22, 1 Peter 3:21-22
BY Erin Davis
Picture yourself in this courtroom. Arrested for starting a riot with his words, Paul stood before a powerful religious court. Humanly speaking, his fate was fully in their hands. Still, Paul did not flinch. Instead, he looked straight into the eyes of his accusers (Acts 23:1). When the priest ordered him struck, Paul did not cower. Even when the dispute became so violent “the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart” (v.10), Paul’s knees never buckled.
Trade places with Paul in your mind. Could you look powerful accusers in the eye, knowing they could have you executed with a wave of their hand? Could you stand the heat of their accusations without melting? Personal experience has taught me that my insides would more likely turn to jelly. My hands would shake. Words would fail me. On my own, I don’t have what it takes to endure this kind of pressure. Which makes me wonder: What truth kept Paul’s knees from knocking? What was the rod of steel that ran up his back really made from? More than moxie was required in this moment. His was a response to meeting the Messiah. Paul was doing more than making his mark on the pages of history as he stood before the court; he was showcasing the gospel.
Hebrews 10 describes another courtroom. Let’s imagine ourselves there. It’s not Sadducees and Pharisees who sit behind this bench, but God Himself. Humanly speaking, we can expect the gavel to drop because we are guilty. Each of us has violated the holiness of God. We deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law. Still, we can enter this courtroom just like Paul entered his, with confidence. Though the high priest in Paul’s case wished him struck, Jesus, our High Priest, took the blows upon Himself.
There are times when I fear that the weight of my own sin might tear me apart, moments when I am suddenly and painfully aware that I don’t deserve to be in the presence of a holy God. You have those moments too: when a sin you thought you were free of suddenly ensnares you again, when you catch the idol factory of your heart churning out something or someone new to worship, when you’ve tried and failed to live like Scripture calls you to live. When those moments come, we share in Paul’s defense. “It is with respect to the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial” (v.6 ESV). It’s not that the gavel will not fall, but rather it has already fallen on Jesus at Calvary. What the Lord spoke to Paul in his hour of need He speaks to us in ours. “Take courage” (v.11 ESV). Heads high. Palms steady. Pulses slow. Because of our High Priest, Jesus “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).
44 thoughts on "Paul Before the Sanhedrin"
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TAYLOR – happy belated birthday!
AMANDA – praying for your niece and for her friend’s family during this devastating time.
KATHY – praying with you and your friend’s family for John’s healing!
DOROTHY – praying for your aunt and uncle as they transition to assisted living, that it will make their lives safer and that they will be engaged with other residents.
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Victoria E I believe God understands a mother’s worrying heart. My daughter is grown and I still become apprehensive about travel, the world we live in as it relates to her family. He gave up His Son, I know he “gets it”.
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I need all you prayer warriors to storm heaven on behalf of a dear friend’s 15-month-old grandson. He is currently in the hospital with RSV. He spent the first of this week in PICU but is now in a room. His oxygen levels were not good last night but they are better today. He is still struggling to breathe and is having to be suctioned every two hours. They have upped the albuterol and he is stable.
Please pray for God’s healing hand to be on him. His name is John. His parents are Holly and Drew. Our friends’ names are Sonia and Ronnie. They are all leaning hard on God. My heart hurts that they are having to go through this, but I am so thankful that we get to see our loving and healing Father work.
You are all a sweet blessing in my life. Thank you for being faithful in prayer. Have a blessed weekend. -
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.”
Dear sisters, I pray that we would ALL have faith like this! When things don’t go our way faith wise.. or, to be honest, in general.. we tend to give up and throw in the towel… but instead of giving up.. we have to pull all of our strength within us.. and ignore that little voice in our head
I also hope that we would all be more like Paul when it comes to having faith. Being willing to go wherever God leads us.. without complaining or living in fear.. despite of the consequences.. its about God.. not us!
I pray that all of you would have a great weekend! I love you ❤️
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Changed life, thank you so much for sharing the wisdom you are receiving from your Bible study. I feel like the Lord has been speaking the same truths to my heart; using my gifts and talents to glorify His kingdom rather than trying to follow someone else’s example of how they are living out the gospel.
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Victoria, I will continue to pray for the health of your baby and peace.
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Thank you Michelle, The legal separation and the restraining order is what helped me finally get on the road of recovery and healing. I got plugged in to a celebrate recovery group and started the healing process. It was a 20+ marriage. I’m so much better now. Healing, growing, moving forward. God is amazing!
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Happy Birthday Taylor!
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