captivating a crowd with commonality

We are not that different...
you and I.

Even though I don't know you,
I can say that for a fact.

Two people in a crowd
can find something in common
and become best of friends
if they meet on the right day,
at the right time,
in the right frame of mind.

But bump them into each other
on a hectic day, in the rain,
when they're hungry, running late,
and low on cash, and they might just
find each other as mortal enemies.

Because crowds have a way
of bringing out that pushy, shovey,
anamalistic way in us that can
keep us from seeing connections
and drive us to draw divisions.

And that's where we left Paul...
after rumor turned to riot yesterday.

The people of Jerusalem were
in an uproar, not understanding
who Paul really was, nor what
he preached in truth.
They only focused on the fact
that their strict ways
of following the laws of Moses
were being challenged.

And almost in an encore
performance of the crowds crying
for Jesus to be crucified,
we hear these men shouting
as they beat Paul in the street
seeking his death in anger.

Until the Commander of the guard
chained him and had him carried
overhead toward the barracks.

But just before entering,
Paul requested to have
an audience with the people.
And the Commander
gave him permission.

Paul stood on the stairs and
motioned with his hand to the people.
And when there was a great silence,
he spoke to them in
​the Hebrew language, saying...
Acts 21:40 NKJV

(Please understand this picture,
realizing that the hands Paul is
waving are still chained and he
standing between guards
in the process of being arraested.)

Brethren and fathers,
hear my defense before you now.
And when they heard that
he spoke to them in
the Hebrew language,
they kept all the more silent.
Acts 22:1-2

This the beginning of connection
in the middle of a crowd...
as Paul knows just how
to speak their language.

Then he said:
I am indeed a Jew,
born in Tarsus of Cilicia,
but brought up in this city
at the feet of Gamaliel,
taught according to the strictness
of our fathers’ law, and was zealous
toward God as you all are today.
Acts 22:3

Paul is not just being polite
by introducing himself.
He is very purposely
laying common ground with them.
He wants to connect with them
so if they see him as being
one if them, they may
consider his viewpoint.

These are the commonalities
of the people of this Jerusalem.
And Paul continues as the riotous
crowd has now settled.

And he tells of his former life
as a Pharisee and the many
Christians of the Way whom
he persecuted, imprisoned and
pursued unto their death, even
at a time when he was proud of it.

Now it happened,
as I journeyed and came
near Damascus at about noon,
suddenly a great light from
heaven shone around me.
And I fell to the ground and
heard a voice saying to me,
‘Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting Me?’

So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’
And He said to me,
‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,
whom you are persecuting.'
Acts 22:6-8

Now this is what I love about Paul.
As a good communicator, after
he hooked them in with all
that he had in common with them,
and even though he knows they have
judged him wrongly with rumor,
now he transitions to tell of the change.

The people in this crowd had
not yet given consideration
to the truths of the gospel
because it meant change.

Change from tradition.
Change from ritual.
Change from comfortable.

And people often resist change.

But Paul knew if they could
see it from his perspective...
once being just like them,
then maybe they would
be more willing to listen
and consider this truth.

After all, Paul knows he was
just as stubborn as they,
until God stopped him in his path...
suddenly a great light from
heaven shone around me,
a blinding light,
a necessary heavenly change.

He tells witness of how God opened
his eyes, even through blindness.
God gave him a taste of a new flavor,
God gave him a view of a new vision,
God gave him a chance at new life.

Blindness allowed him to truly see.
And Paul was hoping that his story
would help change the hearts
of these men as well.

But as he finished telling them
and was coming to the conclusion
of his testimorny, he spoke of a vision
and a word that God gave to him...
Then He said to me,
‘Depart, for I will send you
far from here to the Gentiles.’”

And they. (the crowd) listened to him
until this word, and then
they raised their voices and said,
“Away with such a fellow from
the earth, for he is not fit to live!”
Acts 22:21-22

Seriously?
I mean.... Seriously!
He had them wrapped up in
his testimony until he said the word,
Gentiles.

Talk about a hot button.
And they said,
"He is not fit to live!”

This surely IS a sad bunch!
I know you had hoped for
a better ending than yesterday.

And here, we thought Paul
might escape imprisonment.
Nope!

Paul was taken away in chains,
almost scourged, but spared
when they realized he was
a Roman citizen.

While they didn't whip him,
he was still imprisoned and
made to stand trial
before the High Council.

But you haven't heard the best part.
While he awaits travel to Rome,
he has a visitor...
But the following night
the Lord stood by him and said,
“Be of good cheer, Paul;
for as you have testified for Me
in Jerusalem, so you must also
bear witness at Rome.”
Acts 23:11

I bet no one in that crowd
found the Lord standing by them
in the night encouraging them,
Be of good cheer...

Can you imagine?
The Lord, Himself.
Not an angel sent, but the Lord
came a stood by him to encourage.

Amazing.

Word of God
train me today...
To be a patient and faithful witness for You,
even to those who struggle
​to see the true me.

To know that You will stand beside me
even when the night seems darkest.