But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" — Acts 22:30-23:5

So the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, orders a sit-down between all parties involved in this city-wide riot. He wants to get to the bottom of the issue because he knows that he has wrongly diverted due process for Paul, a Roman citizen. So the following day, they are all in a room together, and Paul is the first to speak. And he proclaims he is innocent. This provokes Ananias because for Paul to claim his innocence would suggest their guilt. So the priest commanded someone to punch him in the face. He is given a face spanking. And then you might imagine Paul wiping blood from his lip and looking back at the priest saying:

"God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?"

So to add insult to injury, Paul barks back at Ananias, and he uses the phrase "you whitewashed wall." This could be translated to "you hypocrite." In their day to whitewash something would mean to cover something in disrepair with a white mud-plaster. It was the cheapest way of doing a home repair. And, of course, Ananias was wrong to strike him without first hearing his case. And again, due process is diverted, and again Paul is the victim of yet another injustice.

As followers, I think we underestimate the injustice we will have to endure in this life. Paul has endured a lot of injustice. This moment is just one of many for him. But as we have traveled with Paul, we watch him get better and better at leaning into these challenging moments. Rather than run from them, like he initially did, he leans into them as character-shaping opportunities to advance the message of God. And remember, Paul was warned about going to Jerusalem. So he was well-warned of the dangers, and yet Paul, who is much more confident of his identity and calling today, gives us a glimpse in this moment of the man that Jesus wanted him to be. A man on a mission by God to the Gentiles in hopes of persuading some of the Jews. And we get this beautiful glimpse of a man willing to suffer anything for Jesus. Even injustice.

But notice what happens when a man on mission acts in godly character. It exposes the man who acts in an ungodly character. Ananias acted in his true character. And Paul acted in his true character.

Today do not be persuaded to live in ungodly character by the injustice of others. Choose to make the godly choice once again. Be obedient when you are surrounded by disobedience. Set aside your justice and let God's justice reign!

ASK THIS: How do injustice and ungodly character surround you?

DO THIS: Act in the character of Christ and let his justice reign.

PRAY THIS: God, give me the strength to do what is right and righteous in this world of sin and evil.

PLAY THIS: Matthew West - Truth Be Told.

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