Today's passage is Acts 23:31-24:9.
When Paul arrives in Caesarea, Felix puts him in Herod's palace under guard. Ananias, some elders and a lawyer arrive five days later at Felix's order to present their charges against Paul. They are causing riots, being a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and desecrating the temple.
Why is Paul put in a palace?
Why does the lawyer flatter the governor?
Paul made the trip to Caesarea in an overnight ride with soldiers, but Ananias takes five days to make the trip.
Is he trying to tell Felix he is so important that he can't be rushed?
And instead of answering him directly, he has a lawyer flatter him on how good a governor he is before itemizing the charges which have nothing to do with Roman rule but concern only the Jews.
I hate flattery.
I never give it and I hate receiving it because it is insincere and designed to elicit a positive response to an upcoming request.
At the same time it is hard to resist because it boosts my pride, which needs slamming not boosting.
As principal, I have been flattered by parents of problem children.
Some parents want me to take their children into the school or others want me to attend specially to their child.
I once had a woman who not only said I was a most wonderful principal but she kissed my hand repeatedly! It was embarrassing.
I had to take back my hand and politely dismiss her and ask to speak to her husband later to conclude business.
My failure was not bringing God into the situation by inviting her to join me in prayer for God's help and guidance.
Lord, protect me from my pride by remembering your time on the cross when I hear someone try to flatter me.
