The beloved physician Luke wrote how Festus was in Jerusalem with the Jewish people, and after he, “tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all”, where we read:
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews,
neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
The verse begins, “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, ...” Luke began with the words, “while he answered for himself” which means “during the time he, Paul, responded and began to speak on behalf of his own self”, “neither against the law” or “no and not in any way did Paul respond in opposition to the rule producing a state approved of God” “of the Jews” which means “belonging to the Jewish people by birth, origin or religion”. Luke shared how “Paul” did not speak against the Jewish “rule” which produce a state which was approved by God.
The verse continues, “... neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” Luke added the words, “neither against the temple” which means “not in any way in opposition to the sacred worship in Jerusalem”, “nor yet against Caesar” or “not in any way in opposition to Caesar whose name means severed and was the surname of Julius Caesar, which adopted by Octavius Augustus and his successors afterwards became a title, and was appropriated by the Roman emperors as part of their title”, “have I offended anything at all” which means “have I, Paul, missed the mark, erred, been mistaken and violated the temple in Jerusalem or Caesar in a certain way or time”. Luke shared how “Paul” defended himself against his accusers by telling “Festus” he did not violate the “temple” in Jerusalem or “Caesar” or anything that could be violated.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” began to respond to his accusers by telling “Festus” he did not transgress the Jew's law, their temple, Caesar or any thing at all. “Paul” did not just accept the charges against him, he defended himself. “Paul” knew this would be another opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if he needed to make a defense for himself, so be it. God uses different situations and circumstances to offer His plan of salvation through His Son Jesus to everyone who will listen. His invitation is to receive His forgiveness of sins through Jesus, and when they submit to Him, He will grant them with everlasting life. Let all who carefully examine “Paul's” words to “Festus” understand they were meant to give him the opportunity to share Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how Festus asks Paul, “Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”, 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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