Power and Privilege?

 ACTS IN 90 DAYS

A reading for Thursday, September 10, 2020: Acts 22:22-29.

"Immediately those who were about to examine him drew back from him; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him."

The tables turn pretty quickly for those against Paul. They did not realize that Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and therefore believed they could treat him in anyway they wanted. Paul knows this and plays the last card he has to play... Power and privilege can change things quickly even in the ancient world. The story takes a turn now, illustrating that those in charge are corrupt and without the very power they thought they had.

Even today, so often those with power and privilege are treated differently than others without such an advantage. But then, the tables can be turned quickly, and the illusion that bad actors can act without consequences is shattered. God will have justice in the end, especially when it comes to those that serve God with faithfulness.

The story is not over for Paul. Thanks be to God!