Mob Mentality

Today’s reading: Acts 21:18-36

And the crowd followed behind, shouting, “Kill him, kill him!” - Acts 21:36‬

The darkness that lies within jealously is deep and finds its root in a feeling of being threatened. When people of influence feel threatened, they instinctively work towards neutralizing the threat by whatever means necessary.

Here, we see that some Jews from Asia Minor make a false assumption about Paul bringing Trophimus (from Asia Minor as well) into the Temple.

So all the rioting was predicated on a lie.

Haven’t we all done this same thing when we hear gossip about someone else that is unconfirmed? The truth is found in approaching the accused, but we are already offended and shocked at the mere thought of them acting in such a way.

Maybe we haven’t beaten someone with our fists, but we may have done more with our slanderous tongues. May we always do the hard work of seeking truth over the easy (and sometimes inaccurate) path of assumption.

Paul, per usual, will use this madness as an opportunity.