The beloved physician Luke wrote how “certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he has a certain thing to tell him”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “he took him, and brought him to the chief captain” where we read:
So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto you, who has something to say unto you.
The verse begins, “So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, ...” Luke began with the words, “so he took him” which means “therefore the centurion accepted and received Paul's nephew”, “and brought him to the chief captain” or “and carried or led Paul's nephew to the chiliarch or Roman commander over a cohort”, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “Paul the prisoner” or “Paul, whose name means small or little, the captive or one in bonds” “called me unto him” which means “beckoned, summoned and bid me, the centurion, to his own self”. Luke shared how the “centurion” led “Paul's nephew” to the “Roman commander” and told him about “Paul” summoning him.
The verse continues, “... and prayed me to bring this young man unto you, who has something to say unto you.” Luke added the words, “and prayed me” which means “and asked, entreated and beseeched me, the centurion” “to bring this young man unto you” or “to carry or lead this youthful male to you, chief captain”, “who has something to say unto you” which means “who, Paul's nephew, has some information to utter, declare and proclaim to you, chief captain”. Luke shared how the “centurion” told the “chief captain” about “Paul's” request to bring his “nephew” to him because he had some information to share.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “centurion” followed “Paul's” instructions and carried his “nephew” to the “chief captain”. Because his “nephew” knew about the plot of the over forty men wanting to kill him, Paul thought the “chief captain” should be informed as well. God's plan for the preservation of “Paul” was coming together, and step by step, “Paul” was to be saved from this situation. The gospel of Jesus Christ was to be spread throughout the world, and “Paul” was not finished with his mission at this time. God invites every person to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and because this message is so important, “Paul” was preserved. Those who are wise will see the hand of God in his rescue and submit themselves to God who is able to save and keep them as well.
Next time Luke shares how, “the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately”, 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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