As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?” Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.” After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:
““Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.”

What I find interesting about this exchange between Paul and the Roman commander, and then subsequently with the Jews, is this: Paul is not angry, bitter, indignant, or selfish. He was just beaten by a mob for doing nothing. He was falsely accused. And his focus is still on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Is not this focus on the greatness of Jesus in the midst of intense pain and persecution remarkable? Is it not truly amazing? Where does Paul get the incredible peace of mind and non-judgemental heart to love those who did this to him … to love his persecutors and want to save them?

Jesus himself gives us a clue in this passage: ‭“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬) Jesus gave Paul this ability by the power of his Spirit. And the good news is, as followers of Jesus we all have access to the same power Paul had! When we allow God’s Spirit to have full reign in our hearts, he transforms them. And this transformation enables us to do God’s good works. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬)

Let’s bear much fruit, like Paul did, even in the midst of intense persecution. With Jesus as our Advocate and the source of our power and goodness, there is no stopping us!

Lord, thank you for the incredible example of Paul preaching after he had been severely beaten and falsely accused. He pleaded for the hearts of his oppressors. Help me to love my oppressors like Paul, with a love that can only ever come from Jesus Christ!