… and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. – Acts 24:6

Today's Scripture Reading (April 1, 2021): Acts 24

In "The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu," Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi writes, "Moreover, I have heard that those who are fond of praising men to their faces are also fond of damning them behind their backs." The truth is that we enjoy being flattered, especially if the alternative is criticism. But the unfortunate reality is that while flattery in moderation encourages and strengthens us, we grow more from criticism. Zhuangzi speaks the truth; those who flatter, and especially those who liberally apply their flattery wherever they go, are also the ones who are going to condemn the very ones that they flatter once the backs are turned.

The official charge against Paul is that he attempted to desecrate the temple. No, he did not try to paint some questionable graffiti on the Temple gates. The method of this desecration was that he brought an uncircumcised male, Titus, into the Temple complex's inner portions. But while there is a charge, what is notable is that there seems to be no evidence to support the charge. While there is no evidence, that does not indicate that the charge is not problematic for Paul. While we like to believe that our innocence is our shield, we know that even today, innocent people are often found guilty because of the intensity of those on the side of the prosecution. A lack of evidence does not mean that charges are dropped, but rather that a different method must be employed to get to the guilty verdict. If that is true today, it was even more true in the society in which Paul lived.

Those who stood against him were adamant in proving his guilt. And step one in the process was getting those who would judge Paul, in this case, the Roman procurator Marcus Antonius Felix, on their side. And, as often happens, everything starts with the flattery. Specifically, Tertullus begins his prosecution of Paul with this opening statement.

We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly (Acts 24:2-4).

It is unlikely that Tertullus believed what he said. And even though Felix likely knew that his words were empty flattery, the comments completed their task by making Felix feel good about Tertullus and willing to listen to the charge that was being presented without evidence. Still, the flatter's words need to be handled carefully. And in this case, the flattery is all that Tertullus has on his side. He could not use the truth because the truth is not his side.

Pastor David Guzik makes this comment about Tertullus's methods. "Significantly, the same man who found it so easy to flatter also found it easy to accuse with no evidence. The two almost always go together; the person who flatters today will likely tomorrow accuse without evidence."

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Acts 25