Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told Felix the governor, “Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Felix, “hoped money should have been given him of Paul”, where we read:
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:
wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
The verse begins, “He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:” Luke began with the words, “he hoped also” which means “he, Felix, was expectant even so and indeed” “that money should have been given him” or “that riches, wealth or price would have been bestowed, granted, furnished and supplied to him, Felix” “of Paul” which means “by Paul, whose name means small or little”, “that he might loose him” or “so he, Felix, could unbind Paul and release him from bonds and chains”. Luke shared how “Felix” expected to receive “money” or “a bribe” from “Paul” so that he could set him free.
The verse goes on to say, “wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.” Luke continued with the words, “wherefore he sent for him” which means “on this account he, Felix, beckoned, summoned and called for Paul” “the oftener” or “more frequently and diligently”, “and communed with him” which means “and conversed and associated with Paul”. Luke shared how “Felix” summoned “Paul” more frequently and communicated with him because he thought by doing so he might receive some remuneration from him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Felix” thought “Paul” might pay him off to be set free, and although “Paul” was interested in sharing the gospel with “Felix”, “Felix” wanted a bribe. So many people in the world trade the temporary for the eternal, and yet, God continues to extend His hand of salvation through His Son Jesus to everyone. Those who receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who do not trade that which will not last for that which is eternal and shall find themselves making the worse decision of their lives.
Next time Luke shares, “after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room”, 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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