24 The commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. 25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?" 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "This man is a Roman citizen." 27 The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I am," he answered. 28 Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for my citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied. 29 Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.
I'm sure I'm way off point, but this commander is worthless...
Tell me...how does it work that he flogs the victim in order to find out why he's a victim? It makes no sense. A victim generally gives up that information freely. So...I can't think of a better way to alienate somebody...which this commander surely did. I'm not surprised that he was less than "A team" material, however, since he actually had to buy his way into the Roman system. He didn't have the cultural roots, the value system or the familiarity that comes with longevity. We don't make these people commanders.
This is a "Johnny come lately"...and dangerous to good order and discipline.
It happens in the church, by the way. We are desperate for a Sunday School Superintendent so we grab the new guy and ask him if he's interested. No "due diligence" because we're desperate. Why should we be surprised when the Sunday School program falls apart? Or, We grab a pastoral candidate from another denomination and wonder why he doesn't have the same commitment to missions that we have.
This is not difficult my friends. Leadership in the Body of Christ is meant for elders...folks who have been walking with Christ for a long time and can demonstrate spiritual authority. Which, brings to mind...how is your church doing?
Live boldly out there today...
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