Beaten, but Still Full of Compassion! - Acts 21-22

Acts 21:37-40 (ESV Strong's)
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

Beaten, but Still Full of Compassion!

What would you do if an angry mob didn’t like what you were saying about your faith and beat you?  What would be your response?   And what would happen if the authorities showed up and instead of rescuing you from the mob, they assumed you were the problem and arrested and bound you?   What would be your response.  Most of us in the USA would probably argue for their constitutional rights.   That would be our first response.  Our second response, once the situation was sorted out, we would press charges to the person(s) who beat us.  The above passage, however, is not happening in the USA and it is not Paul’s response.  Instead, Paul wishes to have the mob become his audience.  The persecuted becomes the preacher.   His physical beating has only stirred up his heart of compassion.   Instead of being filled with anger and rage for what was done to him, Paul is filled with love to rescue this audience from the wrath and rage God will pour out of them if they do not repent.   Instead of allow the false assumptions to condemn them, Paul wants to speak truth to redeem them.  Paul was called to do this very thing.  He was told the chapter before he should not go to Jerusalem because this very thing would happen.  Yet, Paul’s response:

Acts 20:24
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Actually, believers everywhere were called to practice this response. Note what Peter told the early church and all believers:

1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV Strong's)
Suffering as a Christian
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

We are to count it worth to suffer for Christ and to proclaim his name. This is how it was in the early church:

Acts 5:41 (ESV Strong's)
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

That is how it should be for us. Our first response to persecution ought to be to preach the word of the Gospel of Christ.