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. (Acts 22:30 ESV)
This Sunday concludes our sub-series called “Paul in Jerusalem.” By the end of our passage, Paul will be carried out of Jerusalem and into Cesarea, on his way to Rome.
During his stay in Jerusalem, Paul was falsely accused, beaten, and tried, just like his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Has God been silent? Did Christ set Paul on a course filled with danger only to abandon him?
Have you ever felt this way about your own situation? You’re in good company. The Psalmist cries out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1) The Lord Jesus quoted this verse from the cross.
But, Jesus was not abandoned. His triumphant victory over the grave shows he was vindicated; that is, shown to be in the right.
Just as Paul aimed to share in Christ’s sufferings, so he shares in Christ’s vindication. In our text, the Lord vindicates Paul, demonstrating to his accusers as well as the watching world that he is innocent of the charges against him.
In Acts 23, the Lord is pleased to use uncommon means, from Paul’s own wisdom, to his mysterious nephew, to the Roman soldiers themselves to deliver Paul from danger and carry him along to the city of Rome. God has not abandoned Paul at all.
May this study in the life of Paul remind us that our loving Father is our protector, our deliverer, and our vindicator.