Episode 10

Overview: Saul has some trouble overcoming his reputation as an enemy of Jesus. He has to be sent away from Jerusalem by the other disciples after causing uproar in the city by his passionate preaching. Mary Magdalene and Joanna continue their undercover lives as Christians in the royal court, and they get in trouble for sharing their faith with Tabitha. Meanwhile, Pilate and Caiaphas (and their wives) continue their political maneuvers.

Bible Connections: Acts 9:28-31.

Other Sources: There has long been a substantial Jewish population in Ethiopia, perhaps dating back to the Queen of Sheba.

Dramatic Imagination: The appearance of James (from Jesus’ family) is significant. We don’t know when he joined the church in Jerusalem, but we know he soon gained influence there (Galatians 2:9; Acts 15:13). It’s interesting to see some early disputes between James and Saul/Paul; there were later squabbles too. The scene where the disciples escort Saul out of Jerusalem is not too much of a fabrication. The Bible says the believers actually took Paul to the seaport and put him on a boat to his home town (Acts 9:30). But it’s not a stretch to see Saul pulling the others toward the wider world. Throughout his life, Saul was way ahead of the other Christians on the matter of opening up the church to Gentiles. Later he wrote about scolding Peter for his treatment of non-Jews (Galatians 2:11-16). So the details of this scene are invented, but the essence of it is straight out of Scripture.

ENTRY

• What do you think was the most memorable moment in this episode? Why?
• When was the last time you tried to impress someone—or tried to make up for a bad impression? How did things turn out for you? In this episode, who is trying to impress whom, and in what way?
• Do you find the character of Saul likable? Why or why not?

DIG DEEPER

• The Bible tells us that, while in Jerusalem, Saul “debated” with the Greek-speaking Jews (Acts 9:29). What do you think they were debating about?
• Were the disciples right to send Paul away? Why or why not?
• There’s a crackling tension between the disciples and Saul that’s fascinating to watch. What was Saul saying about the Temple? How did the others respond? What do you think about that?

TAKEAWAY

• The disciples find themselves in a quandary: when should they hide, and when should they proclaim their faith openly? How would you resolve this dilemma? How do you handle situations in your world where overt expressions of faith might seem counter-productive?
• It’s interesting to see the change in Pilate. Once a ruthless ruler, he now cowers before the threats of a young emperor. That seems to be the Roman way—intimidation through force—and many still live that way. By contrast, how would you describe the “Christian way”?

Throughout this series, we see Christians being both bold and caring. Here Mary and Joanna bring Tabitha to faith and later minister to her wounds. Take a moment to look around your world. Where do you see people in need? What can you do to share hope and help?