Mob Action



Acts 21:27-36
27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
34Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”



I’m going to have to ask Paul, when we meet :), what it was like to be surrounded by haters. So far in our story he’s been beaten – several times; arrested – several times; and been the impetus for a riot – several times. This time, his arrest is permanent. He will not again be truly free until his death. The rest of Acts will tell of the numerous trials he is subjected to and the adventures that will follow him all the way to Rome where he is eventually beheaded. The Jews are done with him. But they also don’t have the power to actually kill him. It is a fine political line they walk between what they want to see happen and the actual power the Roman government gives them.

As I read through these words today I wonder what it would be like if my faith was such a threat to the culture that my words and actions actually caused a riot – or at least some kind of noticeable response. I know that in other countries around the world that can be the case. The Church exists underground in many countries around the world and I admire the tenacity of a people who would hold onto Jesus despite extremely negative push-back. It will be interesting to see what happens when the pressure against Christianity turns violent in this country. I believe there are those who will certainly rise up and let their voice be heard. Today is election day and I pray that Christians let that voice be heard quietly in the poll booth.

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