If we were put on trial for being Christians, would there be enough evidence to convict us? The commander of the Roman soldiers wanted to know what Paul had done. For this reason, he convened the Sanhedrin and put Paul in front of the council of religious leaders.
Paul started by claiming he had fulfilled his duty and had a good conscience before God. The high priest, Annas, ordered those near Paul to hit him in the mouth. But Paul knew the law better than Annas. He told him that God would hit him for violating the law. But those who were near him reminded him that he was insulting God’s high priest.
Right there, Paul apologized because he remembered the law that he was not to speak evil about the ruler of his people. Christians are not above temptation. We are flesh and blood. By nature, we are inclined to defend ourselves and retaliate against those who harm us. Paul’s apology set him apart. Christians also apologize when we disobey God and disappoint others. Brennan Manning said, “The greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians. When we acknowledge God with our lips, but deny him with our lives, the unbelieving world finds it unbelievable.”
What do Christians do when we know that those who are in authority are wrong? Again and again, we will see Paul speak truth to powerful people. But he does it with respect. As the Psalmist reminds us in the very first Psalm, we are blessed when we do not walk in step with the wicked, stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of the mockers (Psalm 1:1-2). In a later letter, Paul urges that prayers be lifted for all who are in authority over us. When he wrote this, Nero was the emperor. This same emperor, for whom he prayed would martyr Paul and other Christians. My friend Mary taught me to pray for our leaders, even when we disagree with them. This is what Christians do.
