A pressured Sosthanes makes the hard decision to deal with a Syrian Jewish evangelist named Paul. The efforts to get rid of this troublemaker by some of the more zealous types have not panned out–even to the point of gaining the attention of the city official.
,,,
Acts 18:11-21; John 17:9-18; Psalm 91:14-16; Psalm 31:19-24
Seated in the caldarium, Sosthanes lets out a long breath and looks out into the empty circular room. “More heat.” He yells out to nobody in particular.
“Yes, sir.” A muffled voice calls back from a room below. “The fire is getting low.” An even more muffled voice yells out, as the heavy thunking sound of wood being placed into the fire is unmistakably heard.
Sosthanes listens in to hear the footsteps of at least two men entering the room, but he doesn’t look up. With his head in his hands, the burdens of the week’s turn of events continue to race through his mind.
“That was a bold move, my friend.” a familiar voice echoes throughout the room.
Sosthanes looks up from his palms to see Chaim and another standing in front of him. He sits upright and tries not to betray a look of alarm.
“You have taken the moral high ground.” Chaim continues. “That’s commendable.”
Sosthanes stays quiet and wonders where this interruption to his day is headed.
“Mind if we join you?” Chaim offers.
Without waiting for a response, both men sit on either side of Sosthanes and take in the increasing heat of the sauna.
Feeling the discomfort of either the rising heat or maybe it’s the coming storm, Sosthanes no longer thinks about how much he loathes Chaim. “I never liked him.” Sosthanes ponders while not saying a word. “Always the unscrupulous schemer.” He lets out a breath and now wonders if he will make it out of the room.
Silence ensues for several moments before Chaim continues. “It’s moments like these that define a man… When a man must take a stand and do what’s needed, no matter how unpleasant the task might be.”
Sosthanes says nothing, and the silence continues.
Chaim leans over and says, “We trust that you will do what’s needed, Sosthanes.” His heavy set eyes linger for what seems like an eternity just inches away from Sosthanes’ face.
Feeling the weight of Chaim’s breath finally let up, Sosthanes remains silent, as he watches both men stand and walk towards the door.
Finally, Chaim turns around, looks Sosthanes directly in the eyes and says, “Just… be careful.”
…
Strolling around the agora, Erastus and Gallio greet those passing by and continue with their exchange.
“My lord,” Erastus reports. “I have shared this with you before, but I believe things have worsened.”
Gallio stops to stare back at Erastus. “With what?”
“The Jews, my lord.” Erastus replies.
Gallio lets out a long breath and says, “You’re kidding, right? What of them?”
Looking ever at attention, Erastus continues, “Well, sir, I believe they are at their wits’ end with this Syrian Jewish evangelist.”
“I’m at my wit’s end with their constant complaining.” Gallio replies.
“Yes, my lord.” Erastus complies.
Gathering his thoughts, Gallio asks. “You’ve mentioned this to me before. What did the troublemaker do to them this time?”
“He persists, my lord.” Erastus shrugs.
“He persists… at what?” Gallio inquires with growing impatience. “What is he doing to tick them off this time?”
“And resorting to violence, my lord.” Erastus finishes.
“And resorting to…” Gallio parrots, then stops. With new curiosity, he asks: “What kind of violence are we talking about?”
“Well…” Erastus catches himself. “It was more the threat of violence.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry my Lord, I should explain this better. The leadership in the synagogue removed the Syrian from fellowship. And… they banned some of their own higher ups from fellowship as well because they have taken an interest in learning from this evangelist.”
“What does that exactly…” Gallio asks.
“They kicked them out and refused to let them come back.” Erastus finishes Gallio’s sentence. “But, the Syrian befriended Titius Justus who happens to live next door to the synagogue.”
“Wait, Titius Justus.” Gallio thinks aloud. “Where do I know him from?”
“He’s a retired Primus Pilus.” Erastus says.
Gallio laughs at this. “So this agitator cozied up to a ‘first spear’ who happens to live right next door to the synagogue? You can’t make this stuff up. So, I’m guessing the Jews weren’t too pleased to see their tormentor right next door to their house of worship.”
“Well, it gets more interesting, my lord.” Erastus replies.
Gallio laughs, as he spots a bench nearby. “This is too good to miss.” He seats himself as Erastus continues to stand as he reports.
“Titius was kidnapped.” Erastus says bluntly.
Gallio bursts out with a gfaw. “He what? By whom?”
“By some of the Jews, my Lord.” Erastus replies. “Some of the more… well… eager ones.”
They attacked a ‘first spear’ and kidnapped him.” Gallio persists.
Erastus scratches his head and replies, “Yes, they attacked his home, bound him and took him hostage for a time.”
“They didn’t know he was a Premus, did they.” Gallio says with a laugh.
“No, my lord.” Erastus says.
Gallio laughs even harder. “Talk about showing up at the wrong time and in front of the wrong people. This is like a theatre production. I need a snack or something. Well… What happened?”
“They let him go, my lord.” Erastus says. “My understanding is that cooler heads prevailed and the leaders of the synagogue tried to make things right.”
Gallio nods and says, “The only smart thing they’ve done so far. So, let me get this straight. A segment of some zealous, testosterone infused Jews went to a retired and likely decorated Roman ‘first spear’s’ home, looking for the Syrian Jewish evangelist who I’m guessing was absent at the time of their arrival?
“He happens to also be a Roman citizen, my lord.” Erastus adds.
“What!?!” Gallio asks. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, my lord.” Erastus quips.
Gallio laughs again. “This keeps on getting better!” He says. “So, instead of the Syrian Evangelist who happens to be a Roman citizen, they mess up the home and take hostage a Roman soldier? Oh my, this is too good! Where’s Titius now? Where is the evangelist now?”
“I think they are back to normal now.” Erastus says. “The damage to the home is slowly being repaired and Paulus… er… the Syrian Jew… is back to teaching from Titius Justis’ home.”
Gallio tilts his head and stays quiet for a moment. “Hmmm. So, things have become peaceful again?”
“Well… no sir.” Erastus responds. “Quite the opposite. More Corinthians and a lot of refugees have left the synagogue to learn more from this teacher. Titius’ home is quite crowded these days and the synagogue isn’t nearly as full as it once was. Many of those younger zealous Jews continue to cause havoc to those passing by on the streets. They don’t get near Titius’ home, but they look for opportunities to cause harm to those trying to get there.”
“I’m surprised Titius hasn’t recruited his own security team.” Gallio wonders.
“He has, my lord.” Erastus says. “And, they are doing what they can to allow for safe passage, but with the synagogue next door, it gets a little challenging. They also have a smaller detail at the home of Stephanas.”
“They have more than one meeting place?” Gallio asks. “Is that the strategy? Converts who aim to meet out of several homes?”
“I believe so, my lord.” Erastus replies.
“Hmmm.” Gallio muses. “Do you see these converts as any sort of threat?”
“If by ‘threat’ you mean the synagogue losing more and more of their people and retaliating, then yes.” Erastus postulates. “But, these converts appear to be peace loving.”
Rubbing his face, Gallio processes all that has been shared. Finally, he asks. “So, tell me. How did you find out about all of this?”
…
Sosthanes takes a deep breath, as he mutters to himself. “Well, here goes.” Acknowledging the large group of men in front of him, he then projects authoritatively: “Men, this is our day to make things right. This man has divided us, and he has built his own little empire through deception and outright lies. Furthermore, he and his lackeys must take full responsibility for the damage caused to our family. But, don’t mind them. We want to take out the head, and when the head is removed, the body will collapse.”
“Yeah!” The crowd yells out.
Fearful for how much he’s motivating them, Sosthanes continues. “He has brainwashed even our most dedicated people and turned them against us. Some of you have lost your own family members to the talons of this deceiver who has plucked them out from your own hands.”
He looks around to see the anger escalate among those in the room. He continues. “Yes, he has dealt us a severe blow, but we will respond…” He lets this moment pass before continuing. “Some of you have firmly recommended that we take the law into our own hands and do away with this man, that we hire mercenaries or that we take him hostage. ‘Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.’ But, such underhanded responses is not what makes us who we are. We are the children of God and we will behave as children of God. Some of you have even threatened me because of my course of action.” He looks directly at Chaim who stares menacingly back at him. “But we answer to God and we will take no such improper channels to deal with this wretch. Are you ready to capture this heretic and drag him before the Romans?”
The room erupts in support. “Yeah!”
…
We’re going to stop here for today.
Sosthanes motivated his crowd sufficiently to stir them to action. They now had one mission: Bring the Syrian heretic before the Romans and have them harshly deal with him. But not everyone in the crowd was on board with this plan. Some had promised something far more sinister, but Sosthanes refused and marginalized those efforts as dishonorable before the Lord. And, this would only exacerbate the tension between them.
Meanwhile, Paul and his team kept teaching with some level of security in place. While I don’t know if Titius Justus was a retired Roman soldier, I do know that Titius Justus is a Romanized name and is at least a citizen, which would have placed him in the upper echelon and among the few within a Roman outpost like Corinth. A level of security had to be in place, especially after the blow up in front of Gallio. How do I know this?
Paul did not need to escape by night like he did in some of the other cities where he taught, cities such as Thessalonica or Damascus. He didn’t run away from the jeering mobs like he had in Berea, Antioch Pisidia, Iconium or Lystra. Incidentally, he didn’t need to run away from Philippi. Nope. The Roman officials, however, begged him to leave after improperly flogging and imprisoning him as a Roman citizen.
Here in Corinth, things were different. Paul didn’t have to run away. He remained here in Corinth for some time after this incident (Acts 18:18). So, either things had completely calmed down and all were at peace with one another… or, security had heightened.
I would argue that just because Sosthanes’ plan didn’t quite go as he wanted doesn’t mean the issue came to rest when he was out of the picture. It is likely that others would have risen up to deal with Paul in their own ways. Remember, many mercenaries called Corinth home, so finding the right ‘hit man’ wouldn’t have been too difficult for those with enough money.
Paul had to have a level of protection surrounding him during this time. Moreover, Paul took to heart the vision that assured him that he would not be harmed if he remained in Corinth, which should indicate in retrospect that Paul was at risk and the threat was real. However, in some way, Jesus provided for Paul’s preservation.
One quick takeaway comes to mind: Do God’s business and he’ll have your back. But things can get a little tricky with our understanding here.
We may immediately think that nothing can happen to us since we’re investing ourselves in God’s Kingdom business, as if we’re untouchable. So, we take great encouragement from reading passages like these from the Psalms.
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the LORD, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the LORD!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Love the LORD, all you godly ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!
— Psalm 31:19-24
The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
— Psalm 91:14-16
Our tendency is to fear God, take these promises and immediately apply them for our own safety, thinking that nothing can harm us as long as we’re doing right. While many studies can trace longevity and quality of life to the sound principles with which God provides us, God’s got your back in another way.
Think about it.
Paul would receive plenty of beatings and death treats, eventually to die by the hand of Rome under Nero. In fact, each of Jesus’ own disciples, save one, would be martyred for being outspoken in his faith. The one exception, John, would be exiled for his outspokenness. Many of Paul’s disciples would suffer in kind.
Protection from physical and even emotional safety doesn’t seem to be God’s priority with us. In fact, God has intentionally placed us on the front lines so to speak where we would be confronted with danger on a recurring basis. So, you might be wondering… “Andy… how exactly does God have our back?”
A great passage to look at is John 17, where Jesus offers a prayer to God the Father on behalf of his followers. Beginning in verse 9, Jesus gives us some insight here.
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
— John 17:9-18
The protection Jesus is offering is protection against the temptation of succumbing to evil, against being used for evil purposes, and ultimately against the forfeiture of the Kingdom of Heaven while being sent to an eternity of destruction, to a real place called Hell.
Just as Jesus does not belong to this world, neither do his followers. Yet, his followers will remain in the world until their time is due to reconnect with Jesus and the Father in His Kingdom. In the meantime, their job is to purposefully be sent into the world, as God’s ambassadors, proclaiming and living out lives that reflect His Kingdom for the duration of their time on earth.
Let’s wrap this up. May God encourage you to stay the course and remain faithful to doing His business. While we know this may invite physical and even emotional challenges, God invites you into this place of trust whereby you may receive comfort that goes way beyond anything this world could offer. With that, let’s move forward together.