Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul's nephew told the chief captain, “The Jews have agreed to desire you that you would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not you yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from you. So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See you tell no man that you have showed these things to me. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night. And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this manner”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how the letter was addressed from, “Claudius Lysias unto … Felix” where we read:
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting.
The verse begins, “Claudius Lysias...” Luke began with the word, “Claudius” which means “lame” and was “a tribune of the Roman cohort who rescued Paul from the hands of the mob at Jerusalem” “Lysias” whose name means “releaser” and was the chiliarch or Roman commander of a cohort”. Luke shared how the “chief captain” began his letter with his name, “Claudius Lysias”.
The verse continues, “... unto the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting.” Luke added the words, “unto the most excellent governor” which means “toward the mightiest, strongest, noblest, most illustrious and best leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, commander and sovereign” “Felix” whose name means “happy” and was “a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel and profligate manner” “sends greetings” which means “presents salutations, hail, joy and rejoicing”. Luke shared how the “chief captain Claudius Lysias” addressed “Felix” as the “most illustrious, noblest, strongest and best leader”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “chief captain” began his letter to “Felix”. He started with his name, and then graciously exalted “Felix” as a great, mighty and strong leader. The “chief captain” desired “Felix” to receive “Paul” openly and freely, and he wanted him to know why there was a military escort accompanying him. God's plan for preserving his servant “Paul” was taking place, and because He loves people so much, He desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Anyone who surrenders themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Those who are wise will submit themselves to Jesus and allow all addresses to others to be orchestrated by Him.
Next time Luke shares how the letter said, “this man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them”, 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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