“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ’Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” —Acts 23:11, NIV
Two of the most profound words ever spoken were given to a tired, hurting man in a desolate prison.
Paul visited Jerusalem, hoping for massive acceptance of the Gospel by his fellow Jews. He even observed the traditional seven days of purification rites with his Jewish friends and paid for all the expenses. But his hopes were dashed when visiting Jews from Asia recognized him and spread the word: “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place” (Acts 21:28).
A violent mob broke out leaving Paul beaten and bloodied, until he proclaimed his Roman citizenship. That stalled the ugly mood of the crowd, so he began to preach the resurrection of Jesus. But another violent riot broke out and the commander in charge was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces, so he put him in jail.
Bruised, beaten, and surrounded by people who wanted to kill him, Paul received the greatest encouragement possible.
The Lord appeared to him and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Tharseo, the Greek word for courage here, means, “Take heart.”
Jesus used the word frequently. To the paralytic He said, “Take heart, your sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:2). To the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, He said, “Take heart [courage], daughter, your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22).
To the frightened disciples on the Sea of Galilee, He said, “Take courage, it is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). On the eve of His crucifixion, He told his disciples, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
This is His Word to all of us, no matter how feeble or flawed we are, whatever the difficulties and circumstances: “Take heart, I will be there.”
