Protecting a brother

And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. – Acts 19.30

The riot in Ephesus went from bad to worse. The people of the city were out to get any Jew, thinking they all were in cahoots with Paul.

Things got so confused that people didn’t even know why they were there. This is a great picture of what we call the ‘herd mentality’ today.

Two of Paul’s companions, Gaius and Aristarchus rushed to the amphitheatre in the city where the crowd was gathering. Paul wanted to go back to the city as well, but the disciples wouldn’t let him. He must have still wanted to go because a few authorities, who were his friends, also advised him not to go.

Eventually cooler heads prevailed and the crowd was dispersed.

I like a couple of things here.

I like the fact that Paul had men watching out for him. We already know the kind of man Paul was. He was liable to rush to the theatre fearlessly to stand up for the gospel. The disciples knew that was a bad idea. Paul had made friends with some of the authorities and they knew it was a bad idea.

So they persuaded Paul not to go.

I like their concern for Paul and I like the fact that Paul, the leader of the team had the wisdom to listen to their advice and did not storm into trouble. I like that they had his back and he was wise enough to let them have it.

But I also like the courage of Gaius and Aristarchus. They did not run from the fray, but sought to defend the Way.

Praise God for men of character and the examples they set for us today.