6 But Paul, perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in the [d]Council, “[e]Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 

9 And a great uproar occurred; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

11 But on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, “Be courageous! For as you have testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”

Acts 23:6-11 (NASB) 中文

Paul on Trial

Paul is back from the 3rd missionary journey. He’s been warned prophetically that he will be persecuted in Jerusalem. It’s now being fulfilled. He’s been accused of religious crimes and arrested. This presented an opportunity to share his testimony and call to the gentiles – which enraged the crowd. He’s now before the religious council.

Brilliance of Paul

Though Paul knew he was right and righteous in his service to the Lord, he knew these religious leaders would find any way to turn him over to the authorities for death. He comes up with this brilliant idea: use their own significant internal discord to extricate himself from this bogus trial. Being a former Pharisee he knows the ins and outs and leverages that. BTW, Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection. That’s why they are sad, you see. 😀

Torn to pieces

The Roman commander feared Paul would be “torn to pieces” so he sent soldiers to rescue him (yet again) from these Jews, his own people. They brought him back into the barracks for safe keeping.

Jesus is with us

Now Jesus comes to Paul and comforts him. Wow! What an honor. There are no words of rebuke or correction. Rather, He tells him to take courage, for He still has work to do on this earth. Take this message to Rome, the capital of the leading civilization at the time. This is the good work God has prepared in advance for Paul to do. (Eph 2:10)

RЯeflection

• “You might think that things are bad right now, but you may not even know the half of it. But Jesus knows, and he still says to you, be of good cheer. Why? Not because everything is fine; but because God is still on His throne, and He still holds to His promise that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” (enduringword.com) 
• Has God called you to some specific task? Are you weary? Have you lost your direction? Are you doubting if the call is real? Take heart. Call on the Lord and He will answer you. Trust in Him. Keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above. (Coll 3:1-2)