The beloved physician Luke wrote how Claudius Lysias, “wrote a letter after this manner” about Paul the apostle, “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council. Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to you, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before you what they had against him. Farewell. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how the horsemen, “delivered the epistle to the governor” and “presented Paul also before” Felix where we read:
Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor,
presented Paul also before him.
The verse begins, “Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, ...” Luke began with the words, “who, when they came to Caesarea” which means “the equestrian military men, at the time and moment they arose and appeared at Caesarea whose name means severed and was known as Caesarea of Palestine which was built near the Mediterranean by Herod the Great on the site of Strabo's Tower, between Joppa and Dora”, “and delivered the epistle” or “and yielded over or gave forth the letter” “to the governor” which means “to the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, commander or sovereign, Felix”. Luke shared how the “equestrian military” continued to escort “Paul” to the city of “Caesarea” where they gave the letter by Claudius Lysias over to “Felix the governor”.
The verse goes on to say, “... presented Paul also before him.” Luke continued with the words, “presented Paul” which means “set, placed and brought near Paul whose name means small or little” “also before him” or “even so and indeed in front and in the presence of Felix the governor”. Luke shared how the “equestrian military” also set “Paul” in front of “Felix the governor”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “horsemen” brought “Paul” to the city of “Caesarea” and delivered him and the letter written by “Claudius Lysias” over to “Felix the governor”. We can imagine the attention these seventy “horsemen” drew as they rode into town carrying this special prisoner to present to “Felix”. Although this “Roman army” was used to protect “Paul”, it was actually God leading “Paul” on a journey to spread His gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ to more people in the world. God's love for people caused Him to send His Son Jesus into the world to die for the sins of every person, and when they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who carefully examine this “escort” of “Paul” will understand God's purpose and plan to offer His salvation to every person who “comes” to Him through His precious Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares, “when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was”, 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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