Paul's Failure to Reach His Countrymen

Acts 22:30-23:9 — Paul's Failure to Reach His Countrymen

The Apostle Paul has been called by the Lord to be the apostle to the Gentiles. And for almost eight years, he planted and strengthened churches in Minor Asia and Greece. Nevertheless, at the end of his Third Missionary Journey, he wanted to show the unity of both Jew and Gentile believers. He wanted to make one last effort to show his love for his brethren, his "countrymen according to the flesh" (Romans 9:3). However, his every attempt was met with failure.

He had risked his life to bring financial assistance to the believers in Jerusalem only to be told that he should do more by making a vow and financially supporting other men who have taken a vow (Acts 21:15-25). Worshipping in the Temple to show his loyalty to his nation was met by an arrest after a rioting crowd that almost killed him had the Roman soldiers not intervened (Acts 21:26-36). His attempt to explain his calling and his love for the Jews was met with the Jewish crowd calling for his death (Acts 21:37-22:21).

When the Romans Commander found out that he is a Roman citizen after he initially had planned to interrogate him with scourging (Acts 22:22-29), the Roman Commander took him before the Sanhedrin hoping to find out why Paul caused such a reaction from the Jews. Paul took this one last opportunity to present Christ to the leaders of his nation when he announced, "Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" (Acts 23:6). However, Paul was met with divided Sanhedrin which necessitated the intervening of the Romans soldiers again.

At this point, Paul must have felt like a failure. He had tried at least five times risking his life to reach out to his own countrymen who had become his ardent enemies. But just like the Lord had encouraged him in Corinth (Acts 18:9-10), the Lord came to Paul the following night and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11). Paul had been discouraged for failing to reach the Jews but the Lord did not see it that way. Paul had accomplished what he was called to do. Paul only needed to testify to what the Lord had done and he need to leave the outcome to the Lord. Furthermore, because he had been faithful in his witness, he will now represent the Lord before the highest earthly authority at the time, the Roman Emperor.

Do you feel like you have failed in your ministry?
Focus on being faithful to what the Lord has called you to do and not on outcomes.