THE KING’S BUSINESS
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his testimony would count most. But no, “Make haste, and get thee out of Jerusa lem,” is the Divine commission. No won der Paul was staggered. The place we would choose above all others oftentimes is the place God has not chosen. W e are not competent to decide where our testimony will count most. vs. 19, 20. “And I said, Lord, they ('add, themselves) know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: (20) And when the blood o f that martyr Stephen (Stephen thy witness) was shed, I also was standing by, and consent ing unto his death (omit, unto his death), and kept the raiment (keeping the gar ments) of them that slew him.” For the moment it seemed to Paul as if the Lord must be making a mistake, and he started to argue it with the Lord and give the Lord what appeared' to him conclusive reasons why Jerusalem was o f all places the city where he should give his testimony. So we may be able to give many good reasons why a certain place is the best place ,and still God knows better, and we must leave it to Him. The Lord had just told him, “ They will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.” That was the reason for his going away speedily. The place to tes tify is the place where our testimony will be received. It must have been quite humil iating for Paul when Jesus said, “ They will hot receive thy testimony concerning me.” ' That was just what Paul imagined they would do. He imagined his testimony would go further in Jerusalem than that of anyone else. In seeking to argue the case with the Lord, Paul showed that he was made o f the same stuff, as the rest o f us. W e too oftentimes want to argue the mat ter with our Master. W e fancy He is mak ing some mistake. But Paul soon learned to obey and ask no questions, but some of us have not learned it yet. v. 21. “And He said unto me, Depart: fo r I will send thee (add, forth) far hence unto the Gentiles” The Lord did not argue the matter with Paul. He gave him no reason; did not pay any attention to his
arguments, He simply said, “ Depart.” He would have Paul learn (and have us learn) that it was not his to know the reason, his whole part was simply to obey the order o f his Master, to do just as he was told. And yet the Lord did give a reason for his departing, viz., that it was His purpose to send him far, far from Jerusalem unto the Gentiles. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusa lem,” Paul’s heart cried, but “ far hence,” Christ cried, and not only far hence, but “unto th e, Gentiles.” “ Boston,” “ New York,” “ Chicago,” “ St. Louis,” “Los Ange les,” many hearts are crying today, or at least “America,” but Christ is calling back “ far hence,” and not only so, but “unto the heathen,” “unto the Chinamen,” “unto the despised Negro.” It is well for us that Paul heeded his Master’s call, for it was through his heeding the Master’s call that we ever heard the gospel. Is it any less important for others that we heed it too ? Oh, to how many today Christ is calling, “ far hence,” but they turn a deaf ear and stay at home and so men and women are per ishing everywhere because we will not go where the Lord bids us go. v. 22. “And they gave him audience unto this word, (';) and" then (they) lifted up their voices (voice), and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: fo r it is not fit that he should live.” Up to the point where Paul mentioned his commission “ to the Gentiles” the Jews listened in silence, but no sooner had he said this than a mad cry arose, “ Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” Was not this hatred o f the Jews for the Gentiles passing strange? Truly it was. But is it as strange as the contempt o f many professing Christians today for the people in darkness ? vs. 23, 24. “And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes ( threw off their gar ments), and threw (cast) dust into tlie air, (24) the chief captain commanded. him to be brought into the castle, and bade (bid- ' ding) that he should be examined by scourging; (,) that he might know where fore (for what cause) they cried so (so
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