The Lord Roars From His Heavenly Zion

A Citizen By Birth

(Acts 22:23-30, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 16, 2013)

[23] And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, [24] the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.

Whether or not it is our goal to serve the Lord we may face troubles that seem to be more than we can handle. The Apostle Paul was one of the Lord's most faithful and fruitful servants, yet his own countrymen whom he loved wanted to kill him.

Who were these angry people who were shouting and flinging dust in the air? They were a religious mob that had been riled up by Jews who were from the province of Asia. If they understood why they were there at all, they thought that Paul, his message, and his cordial relationships with Gentiles were a threat to their way of life.

The tribune, a Roman military official, was confused by what was going on. There was nothing in Paul's demeanor to him or to the crowd that suggested that this man was a danger to society. What was it that had enraged the crowd? Paul must have some secret evil, known to the crowd and to Paul, but unknown to the tribune. He knew how he could get the answer. He would torture him until Paul told the truth. That would reveal the mystery.

[25] But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” [26] When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” [27] So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” [28] The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” [29] So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

We know the real answer to the mystery. Paul was an ambassador for Jesus Christ, the exalted King over heaven and earth. But this solution sounds like a fairy tale. When Jesus opened up the door of heaven to His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration the mystery was revealed. Jesus is the answer to what was happening to Paul in Jerusalem a quarter of a century later. Paul had seen the glorious Jesus just as the other apostles had earlier. He was changed by the One he saw. His mission and his passion were informed now by the glory of the beloved Son of God.

As Paul was about to face interrogation he added more mystery to the tribune's life. The violent opposition of the crowd did not match the outward situation. Paul seemed respectful. He spoke as one who seemed rational and measured. Here was an additional perplexing fact: Paul was a Roman citizen by birth yet he had not revealed it until the very last moment. He had rights according to the law of Rome and he could have spoken of these earlier.

Why was Paul bothering with a crowd that hated him? Why was he placing himself in a situation where he could easily lose his life? What was such a reasonable, privileged man doing placing himself in such danger? What was it about Paul that was still hidden?

[30] 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.

This mystery required a closer examination. The examination could not be by flogging. The tribune would need to assemble the religious leaders in order to hear their charges against Paul. The tribune knew that there must be a “real reason” for their insistence that he deserved to die. What was it?

This Roman official was facing the passion and dedication of a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit who had been claimed by the King of heaven and earth. The floods of a dying world of Pharisaic Judaism had lifted up their voice against him. The floods of hell's minions had filled a religiously zealous crowd with anger and violent confusion. Above all the tumult of that anxious moment was a better Voice of eternal majesty. Above the darkness of Jerusalem was the bright and shining light of the glorious King of the Jews.

Jesus had faced an angry mob in this same city twenty-five years before. With all the fullness of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Jesus endured the cross for us. Then He rose from the dead as the first citizen of a new resurrection world. From His glorious throne above He called an angry Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, into His service. Now Paul was walking where his Savior had walked before him.

Paul was born as a Roman citizen. Now he was born again as a citizen of a better country. He was an ambassador of that new shining city that Jesus opened the door to on the top of the Mount of Transfiguration. Paul, in his own way, was opening the door to that better city whenever he had the opportunity to preach the gospel.

Paul represented the King of heaven, but he served that great King here below on earth. What was he to do with his earthly advantages. He had many of them, not the least of which was his birth as a Roman citizen. One alternative was to focus on these advantages, to boast in them, and to hope that they might impress people enough that listeners would then give the King of heaven a hearing. Something feels wrong about that. Paul did not choose that method.

A better alternative was to reserve his boasting for the King who died on a cross, but to know that every advantage he had was a gift of God to be used in obedience to God's Beloved Son. We can use every blessing that the Lord sends as a ray of heavenly light when and where the King directs us to shine that light according to His own purposes. When was the right time to use Paul's gift of Roman citizenship? When he was stretched out for interrogation.

Applications:

We need to remind our souls continuously that there is a mighty God who reigns above the floods of this world. Do not be moved more by the voice of hell's flood than by the Voice of heaven's king. If you have too keen an ear for trouble on the earth, you will be knocked off your game and may start boasting in yourself or returning evil for evil.

Today we walk by faith, and not by sight. When will our faith be sight? I cannot say, but I suppose that everyone listening to my voice this morning will certainly meet the King of Glory within the next century. Our King is not on a cross any more. He is far above all rule and authority, far above every Pharisee, every Roman tribune, every mad crowd, every soldier with whips, far above every name that is named. He reigns, and “He gives more grace.” (James 4:6) Keep your eyes on Him, and always be prepared to give a reason for your hope. (1 Peter 3:15)

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 93 – The Lord Reigns

Gospel Passage: Mark 9:2-8 – The Transfiguration

Sermon Text: Acts 22:23-30 – Paul is revealed before his captors as a Roman citizen. People are wondering why he is being so vehemently accused by the Jews.

Sermon Point: Our citizenship, and every other advantage that we possess, serves the purpose of our service to the Lord.