The Pilgrim Path---Acts 18: 12 – 17 

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” And he drove them from the tribunal. And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

“PAUL WAS ABOUT TO OPEN HIS MOUTH…”

The Jews gambled. They hoped the “civil authority” would stop the Apostle Paul from advancing his views about Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah. Well, the proconsul (Gallio) must have had his hands full at the time. Even though “Christianity” was not technically legal in the Roman Empire---there must have been far more pressing matters in this senatorial province of Rome. Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio tells these Jews, “This is all about your words---names---YOUR religious precepts. I will have nothing to do with your business in this matters. Leave!” It is worth noting that members of the crowd took it upon themselves to “whip up on” the leader of the synagogue (Sosthenes) as the Jews were “dispatched” from the tribunal (And Ole Gallio did not even care that the Jews became punching bags).

My, my---it is best to let the LORD’S work move on without hinderance…

Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.

His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends.

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. Psalm 7: 14 – 17

The Jews in Achaia would think long and hard about running to the proconsul’s tribunal concerning the Disciples of the Way (early Christians). Perhaps they would just rather “listen” for a while---than try to eliminate this perceived “error.” The darkness they so feared---was the Way to Glory! This “beating” may have been the means of opening eyes in the end? If anyone knew the blessing of providential changes---it was the Apostle Paul. I am sure he prayed that the Gospel that was SO resisted---would eventually be “heard” by many!

HYMN

I was a wandering sheep, I did not love the fold;

I did not love my Shepherd’s voice, I would not be controlled.

I was a wayward child, I did not love my home;

I did not love my Father’s voice, I loved afar to roam.

Jesus my Shepherd is; ‘twas he that loved my soul,

‘twas he that washed me in his blood, ‘twas he that made me whole;

‘twas he that sought the lost, that found the wandering sheep,

‘twas he that brought me to the fold, ‘tis he that still doth keep.

Horatius Bonar, 1843

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason