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DECEITFUL LEADERS
THURSDAY, MARCH 18
Acts 22:30-23:10

Mark 14:55-56

 

“…all the council sought
for witness against Jesus

to put him to death…”

 

DECEITFUL LEADERS
 
The Sanhedrin was the great Jewish council of seventy elders whose jurisdiction was the supreme judicial and administrative council of the Jews. They were people with the highest standard of morality and statesmanship aside from being knowledgeable of the Scriptures. They must be models of what is holy and righteous living, being teachers of the sacred law of Moses and the prophets.
 
Dishonest council: Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin. He attempted to persuade them of his clear conscience before God, yet he was slapped upon the high priest’s order. Paul rebuked the high priest for the unlawful act, and he was accused of dishonouring God’s high priest. He criticised and corrected the wrong attitude of Ananias. Paul sounded disrespectful but such tones were necessary to reprove the fault of the chief priest. Paul knew well that he should not speak harshly against the high priest, but such an act from one who was supposedly the highest among the leaders of Jewish community required a forceful reproof. Paul stood as a good witness of what one should be who is a commoner and a spiritual ruler.
 
Divided council: Paul appealed to the hearts of the council by stating his religious and educational background. In the process, he created a disagreement between the two groups of council members. A bone of contention was cast between the Sadducees (who denied the resurrection) and the Pharisees (who believed in the resurrection). The Lord confounded them and they were divided to the point that the Pharisees declared Paul as one of God and an innocent man.
 
Read Luke 12:11-12. Man’s tendency is to craft his own human reasoning which is not according to the Scriptures. We must rather spend time in prayer and seek the cleansing of our hearts and minds that we may be filled by the Spirit of God and be sensitive to His leading.
 
THOUGHT: Do I forgive even those who falsely accuse me?

PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for the assurance of Thy abiding presence.

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