Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ...”, and in chapter twenty and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul continued to tell how he was, “serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations” where we read:
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations,
which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
The verse begins, “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, ...” Luke began with the words, “serving the Lord” which means “submitting in bondage and as a slave to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah” “with all humility of mind” or “with every and the whole deep sense of one's littleness, modesty and lowliness pertaining to their thinking and opinion”, “and with many tears” which means “and along with a large and abundant number of tears shed”, “and temptations” or “and trials, proving and attempts to discover fidelity, integrity, virtue and constancy”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the elders in the church of Ephesus that he “ministered” to the Lord Jesus with a “humble mindset”, lots of tears and many trials and proving of integrity, fidelity and virtue.
The verse goes on to say, “... which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:” Luke continued with the words, “which befell me” which means “that met, came and happened to Paul” “by the lying in wait” or “through the plan or plot formed against him” “of the Jews” which means “belonging to the people of the Jewish nation as respects to origin, birth or religion”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred to “trials” he encountered which were caused by the “Jewish people” who plotted against him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn the manner in which “Paul” ministered to the church in Ephesus. He “served” the Lord with a “humble mind” and cried tears over them. He also endured “trials” of his fidelity and virtue because the “Jewish people” plotted and planned against him while he was among them. God knew the way “Paul” would serve the “Ephesians”, and He allowed the persecution from those who were opposed to the message of salvation “Paul” presented. The same is true today. Some people believe in Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and they are forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. However, many people do not believe Jesus is the Messiah, Christ and Son of God, and they “plot and plan” against those who serve Him in an attempt to stop the message. God will bring all people before Him to judge, and only those who receive His Son Jesus will be allowed into Heaven with Him. All others will be judged for their unbelief, and woe be to those who align with this group.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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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