What is the point of this account (22:22-29) about Paul claiming Roman citizenship? The point is to show that the Romans were dealing with Paul far more justly than his own spiritual brothers. Here are the Jews, at the height of religious-nationalistic zeal, and yet they are prepared to commit gross injustice against one of their own for reasons that have been proven completely empty. This strikes right at the heart of the very law that they claimed to uphold. They were prepared to kill Paul on the spot without a trial! The situation is rich with irony and this is the point. This would in fact be the kind of situation that would bring the nation down. According to the Jewish historian Josephus it was not the Romans who really destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD, but the Jews themselves. The factionalism and infighting was so fierce inside Jerusalem during the revolution leading up to 70AD that more people died in the infighting than by the hands of the Romans. The Romans just finished off the job and, by Josephus’ account, they did so reluctantly. In any case, a bad situation was brewing, and God was using Paul to bring the problems of his people to the surface. God will use people in your life also to do this and you may despise them for it. Relationships can bring out the best and worst in us and both are quite necessary. If someone brings out the worst in you, whatever you do, don’t blame them. Face the infection that God is bringing to the surface and you will be saved from it.
Reflect on what you have seen in yourself lately and confess it to God.
Read Acts 22:22-29 again
