Acts 18:12-17 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrong-doing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.

The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right in there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

These verses make my heart so very heavy, such a blazing example of our humanness. Someone says something that we don’t like or goes against what we think, all compassion is lost. Beat them. Kill them. We seem to care little – even, and sometimes especially, in the name of God.  We use the God of Love as a reason to hate. Humanity is heartbreaking… 

And yet, there is hope. Through our brokenness, God continues to work things for Good… even Our Good… we don’t deserve it, but He loves us… with an unfailing, inexorable Love. 

Just a few verses later yet another man, Apollos, begins teaching and spreading the Good News with an ‘enthusiastic spirit’. There will always be the Good News. No matter what humanity says, God came to save and save He will!

What does this mean for me today? Abide. Abide in the Creator of all Good things and don’t let my heart wander. He is the light and He will shine. Love does not mean tolerance… it means Love – If we want to bring something other than our humanness to the courtroom, we must be abiding in the source of Good… we must be His or we are part of the storm. 

I pray, wherever you are at today, you can rest in the Hope of Christ and abide more deeply in Him who Loves. Amen.