November 4
Bible Reading: Acts 24:1-3
Acts 24:1-2, “And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him…”
If you’ve ever faced false accusations of wrongdoing, you know how difficult it can be. To respond to such a thing in a God-honoring way is difficult. Anxiety lurks, as does the temptation to harbor hatred. In a situation such as that, it’s good to keep in mind that the believer in Christ has the Lord Jesus Himself as an advocate.
Tertullus was the Roman prosecutor employed by the Jewish authorities to prosecute their case against Paul before Felix, the Roman Governor. Such prosecutors were skilled orators possessing knowledge of Roman laws. Curiously, the name Tertullus is derived from a term meaning “liar or imposter.” Those vices proved essential, for his job was to charge the defendant with crimes he’d never committed.
Tertullus first sought to impress the judge via flattery, then came the accusations—”this man is a plague who stirs up riots, a ringleader of a religious cult, who’s even profaned the temple.” “For that reason, we seized him and brought him to this court.” Though Tertullus was working for the Jews, his ultimate employer was none other than the devil, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), who sought to do Paul harm.
Though Paul had no human attorney to represent him, he did have an advocate (1 John 2:1). Charges were brought against Paul, but God is the One who justifies, so “who is to condemn” (Romans 8:33-34)? From a loftier and more just courtroom, at the right hand of God Himself, the One who died and rose again, was interceding on Paul’s behalf (Romans 8:34)! Sometimes the decision of a lower court is appealed to a higher court. In the believer’s case, the finding of the highest court is always “not guilty,” for it is the blood of Christ itself that has won the once-for-all acquittal for sin (1 John 2:1-2).
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?” –Romans 8:33-34
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]
His oath, his covenant, his blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found:
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 