Orig: 12/20/02
9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
12 The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." Acts 23:9-15
Years ago I was asked to speak at a local service club for businessmen about how to reach the teenagers in our community. Young and passionate I began to deliver my best message on reaching teens (for Christ) in our community. About five minutes into a 20 minute talk I noticed everyone in the room either staring at me in disbelief, frowning, or smiling and nodding in total agreement. The two or three smiles I saw were from other people I knew were believers.
I distinctly remember thinking to myself during the message, “Hey, they do not want me to talk about Jesus in reaching teenagers. Well, they shouldn’t have asked a pastor!” I remember making a decision to push on with a strong gospel message to these frowning businessmen and women. When I was done the smiling believers thanked me, the rest ignored me, and I was never asked back.
In the midst of a crowd I stood virtually alone.
In that moment I could relate to Paul. On his missionary journey, Paul traveled to the church in Jerusalem in order to give the leaders a report on the work of God in his ministry (Acts 21:15-26). He proceeded to the temple where he was dragged out and beaten (Acts 21:31-32). If it weren’t for the Roman commander, they probably would have killed him. These same people hated Paul so much that as he sat in prison they conspired to kill him under the oath of “no food until he dies.” (Acts 23:12) Paul was beaten, frightened and uncertain about what the next morning would bring. But in the midst of this fear the Lord Jesus stood by his side (Acts 23:11).
Isn’t it intriguing that none of the Christian leaders in Jerusalem are reported as visiting or coming to Paul’s aid. Where were they? Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, and maybe they couldn’t. Like so many of us during his time of greatest pain he suffered alone. How many of us suffer alone with congenital or terminal illnesses? How many suffer alone during the holidays? How many suffer alone with depression? How many suffer alone in the midst of loneliness?
It seems that the people Paul should have depended upon the most let him down. At the end of his life Paul is recorded as saying, “all have abandoned me.” (2 Timothy 4: 11) It is quite possible that the greatest of men to ever spread the gospel died in a sea of loneliness.
In the midst of our fears, and in the presence of loneliness, Jesus stands by us. Jesus lives in our loneliness. He understands as he calls out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46)
When we feel alone we can rest assured that we are never really alone. God is with you in your despair. He is with you in your loneliness. He is with you in your depression. He is with you in your unemployment. He is with you in your illnesses, losses, and even in sin he is nearby whispering, “Take courage (11)”, it is I. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
