The beloved physician Luke shared when Paul, Barnabas and their companions came to Jerusalem, “a certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” were “saying” about the Gentile believers “That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” After much discussion, the church in Jerusalem decided to, “send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ...”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how the letters said Barnabas and Paul, “hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” where we read:
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The verse begins, “Men that have hazarded their lives ...” Luke began with the words, “men that have hazarded” which means “male human beings who have delivered up, committed and commended” “their lives” or “their living beings and souls” on behalf of the following. Luke shared how the letters from the church in Jerusalem included the validation of the “men” whom they sent to them who delivered up their own lives for the following cause.
The verse goes on to say, “... for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Luke continued with the words, “for the name” or “on behalf and for the sake of everything the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of our Lord” which means “belonging to our One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed One and Messiah”. Luke shared how the letters also included the reason these “men” delivered up their lives was “for the name” of the anointed One, Jesus, who is the Messiah.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the church in Jerusalem thought to authorize the “men” sent to the church in Antioch by telling of their “committed” “lives” on behalf of God's Anointed One and Christ who is Jesus. God's desire is to save every person through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus, and when they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who “hazard their lives” for the gospel of Jesus Christ are particularly acknowledged by God, and their work in the Kingdom of God for Him and others will be known and rewarded throughout all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how, “we have sent therefore Judas and Silas”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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