Acts 24:1-27
Today's Passage: Acts 24
Guilt by association basically means that although you didn’t do anything wrong, you can be tried as someone who did because of your close connection to someone who actually did something wrong. You get included in the consequences because of your proximity to the perpetrator.
Paul once again finds himself on trial, giving a defense for his actions against a myriad of “evidence” from other people. In his defense, he shares his reasons for his innocence and very calmly depicts why his accusers are wrong or misinformed.
The most beautiful part of this text is the “guilt by association” confession that Paul includes in his defense. In verse 21 he states: “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.” Paul basically says, “If I’m on trial for preaching that Jesus was raised from the dead, then I’m guilty!”
Although Jesus (or Paul!) had done anything wrong, He (they) stood before a judge to give an account for their actions. Jesus was tried because of His obedience to His father. Paul was tried because of his preaching on the resurrection of Christ. Neither man committed sin or an illegal act, yet both paid a price as if they did.
If there’s anyone I want to be associated with, it’s Jesus. To be so closely linked to him that I would bear suffering, shame, or persecution for Him is not an insult, but the highest form of compliment. We will likely face this at some point in our lives, if we are vocal enough about it and make it known. When that day comes, consider the words of Jesus as a source of comfort:
John 15:18: If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also be glad and rejoice when his glory is revealed.
May we all strive, like Paul, to say: if I have to be guilty for associating with someone, let it be Jesus!
Written By: Drew Dukes
Guilt by association basically means that although you didn’t do anything wrong, you can be tried as someone who did because of your close connection to someone who actually did something wrong. You get included in the consequences because of your proximity to the perpetrator.
Paul once again finds himself on trial, giving a defense for his actions against a myriad of “evidence” from other people. In his defense, he shares his reasons for his innocence and very calmly depicts why his accusers are wrong or misinformed.
The most beautiful part of this text is the “guilt by association” confession that Paul includes in his defense. In verse 21 he states: “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.” Paul basically says, “If I’m on trial for preaching that Jesus was raised from the dead, then I’m guilty!”
Although Jesus (or Paul!) had done anything wrong, He (they) stood before a judge to give an account for their actions. Jesus was tried because of His obedience to His father. Paul was tried because of his preaching on the resurrection of Christ. Neither man committed sin or an illegal act, yet both paid a price as if they did.
If there’s anyone I want to be associated with, it’s Jesus. To be so closely linked to him that I would bear suffering, shame, or persecution for Him is not an insult, but the highest form of compliment. We will likely face this at some point in our lives, if we are vocal enough about it and make it known. When that day comes, consider the words of Jesus as a source of comfort:
John 15:18: If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.
1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also be glad and rejoice when his glory is revealed.
May we all strive, like Paul, to say: if I have to be guilty for associating with someone, let it be Jesus!
Written By: Drew Dukes
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