When they heard [Paul] speak to them in Aramaic, they
became very quiet (Acts 22:2).
From his travels
Paul returns to Jerusalem knowing he has been branded a traitor by the Jews
there. One day in the temple he is recognized by some Jews visiting from the
Roman province of Asia (where Paul has spent a great deal of time ministering)
and they turn on him. The violence of the attack attracts Roman soldiers who
break up the beating and arrest Paul, taking him to be the troublemaker. Paul asks permission
to address the crowd and his request is granted.
Paul was well-versed
in multiple languages, but when they heard him speak to them in
Aramaic, they became very quiet. This
gained Paul a hearing from the very people who were set on his arrest and
punishment. There’s something about someone speaking to us in our own language.
On the Day of
Pentecost, what got the crowd’s attention was that every person heard the
disciples speaking to them in their own language (Acts 2:8). To the Corinthian
Christians Paul wrote: I have become all things to all people so
that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).
We have a large
Hispanic population where I minister. I could complain about how they refuse to
learn English, or I can put my energies into learning to speak Spanish. I know
which one Paul would choose.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
What difference would it
make if you could speak the language of those to whom you’ve been called to
minister? What’s stopping you?
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