January 5, 2012 - Acts 21:35-36

“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, ‘Away with him!’” Acts 21:35-36.
Before the soldiers arrived to rescue him, Paul was being beaten severely by the crowd of Jews. Upon the soldiers’ arrival, the crowd stopped beating Paul and drew back. The commander and his soldiers took Paul into custody, binding him with two chains and inquiring who this man was. The crowd reacted with various answers concerning Paul’s identity and they grew angrier. Finally, the crowd became so violent that the soldiers had to create a barrier between Paul and the crowd by lifting Paul up and carrying him away. The crowd shouted as the soldiers left with Paul, yelling, “Take him away!” This crowd was definitely not on Paul’s side. In fact, they not only rejected Paul; they wanted him dead.
I cannot recall a time when I experienced a crowd of people who wanted me killed, yet I know some people who have experienced that kind of traumatic encounter. The rejection of the people is so final, passionate, and can be devastating. I remember some times when a view or a stand that I took was not popular, and I stood out as different and was ostracized. It felt like personal rejection. That was emotionally rough enough, but was certainly not near the point of death. Rejection can be a powerful thing, and the fear of being rejected can cause us to choose to act in a compromising manner. Paul stands out as a shining example of one who never compromised his beliefs to ease the rejection he may have felt from a surrounding crowd.
Questions to consider: Have you ever experienced a time when it was you against a crowd of people? If so, what was that like for you? How do you handle yourself when you perceived that you are being rejected?
Prayer: Father, help me to see Paul as a shining example of someone who took a firm stand on his convictions in the face of such harsh rejection. Give me strength to stand firm when I experience rejection for my beliefs. Amen.