23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
Acts 23:1-3
Paul was brought forth in front of the counsel waiting to be tried for proclaiming the gospel. Ananias, the same high priest that condemned Jesus is bringing judgement onto Paul. Paul insults Ananias by calling him a whitewashed wall. Essentially this is an idiom in the Greek language - "a dirty wall which has been made to look clean". Paul is calling the high priest a hypocrite.
One of the most demeaning insults one can call another person is a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is when someone says something to condemn, but also practices the said condemnation. Ananias seemed holy and righteous in front of the Jews, but his actions and he's heart spoke of hypocrisy. How can a holy high priest who speaks of God's forgiveness strike another man down? But I realize I too am like Ananias. When I judge or condemn another, I bring judgement to myself. Even thinking to myself about how someone wronged me, doesn't justify my attitude towards that person, as it was Christ who took those sins away and made it his own. In God's eyes I am just as wicked, but even more so since I am not only a sinner of the same action, but now considered a hypocrite. Though the sins might not be the same, the heart of the matter is I shouldn't be a whitewashed wall pretending I'm greater than I am. First thing I need to do is ask God for help in forgiving that person. Secondly is asking God for forgiveness for being a hypocrite.
Jesus forgive me for thinking I'm better than others. I am a wicked sinful person who shouldn't be judging others. You pressed it upon my heart in this reading that I need forgiveness before anyone else. Cleanse my heart. I ask that you would bring forth peace and allow yourself to be magnified in my life.
In Jesus Name Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment