I have never studied law. But I have watched a lot of shows about lawyers and trials. Being married to Melanie, who loves those shows so much, has made me an expert on this subject. I also have a brother who is an attorney. And I am pastor to many, many attorneys. But most of my extensive legal knowledge comes from watching TV shows with Melanie. All I know is what everybody knows: the defendant should never get on the stand to testify on his own behalf.
Paul broke that rule. Against the charge that he went to the temple to desecrate it and start a riot, Paul contended that he had gone up to Jerusalem to worship. Worship was not a crime in Jerusalem. It was more like a requirement of the faithful. He did not start a riot or argue with anybody. So what exactly did Paul do? He worshiped as a follower of the Way, he believed the Law and the Prophets, he hoped in the resurrection, and he kept his conscience clear. None of these four confessions constituted a crime.
What may we learn from Paul’s confession? If anybody ever puts us on trial let these four things be true of us: first, we worship as followers of the Way. If anyone wants to accuse us of believing that Jesus is the Way, I pray that we are found guilty as charged. Second, we believe the scriptures. If this becomes a crime, I will be guilty as charged. Third, all my hope is in the risen Christ who will someday raise the righteous and the wicked to stand in judgment before him. “We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ,” Paul explained (2 Corinthians 5:10). Fourth, we keep our consciences clear because we will give an account, not to any mortal judge but to the Lord Almighty.
When Martin Luther was put on trial, he stood firm and said, “Here I stand.” May this be our testimony if we are ever put on trial for following Jesus: Jesus is our Way, the only Way. Here we stand. We will not recant. With God as our witness, we can do nothing else.
