Accusations

After three days Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them: "Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offence. Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation. For this reason I've asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I'm wearing this chain."
Then they said to him, "We haven't received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers have come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere." Acts 28:17-22

A clean slate with no accusers, must have been refreshing. Accusers and accusation are horrible, comes form the pit of hell. One of the greatest tools of the enemy is accusation. Paul was given an opportunity to speak about the Way. Although the Jews thought it a sect, they listened.

Having just minded five children for the weekend I encountered a whole lot of accusation: "Ollie did this, he hurt me!" "Ryan hit me!" "Myer won't let me have a turn!" "Archie won't share hai pencils!" "Ellie is picking on me!" And on it goes, a constant barrage, it wears down the mind and frustrates the soul.

Children are very suseptible to accusation, they have a huge sense of self and what is fair to them, blow the other guy. The Jewish accusers of Paul had a huge sense of right, the Old was right, Jesus was the usurper and anyone who said he wasn't was wrong.

Paul had the challenge of presenting the gospel. His love for fellow Jews made him go to them first, he gave them his best. That is what we do. We give our best to the family. It isn't always accepted, it is often rejected at times.

Yet, there are those who will listen and believe. Amen!


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