Luke the beloved physician wrote how King Agrippa told Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews. Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews. Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straightest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told King Agrippa, “which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come” where we read:
Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come.
For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
The verse begins, “Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come.” Luke began with the words, “unto which promise” which means “toward the hope of the promise of God” “our twelve tribes” or “our, Paul and the Jewish peoples', twelve groups of Israelitish people”, “instantly serving God” which means “intently and earnestly ministering and rendering homage to the Heavenly Father God” “day and night” or “during the sunrises to sunsets and sunsets to sunrises”, “hope to come” which means “wait for salvation with joy and full confidence to arise and appear”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred to the way the “twelve tribes” of Israel earnestly ministered homage to the Heavenly Father God because of the full confidence of salvation that was to appear.
The verse continues, “For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.” Luke added the words, “for which hope's sake” which means “about, concerning and on account of the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation”, “king Agrippa” or “leader, prince, commander and lord of the land whose name was Agrippa whose name means hero-like”, “I am accused of the Jews” which means “I, Paul, exist as brought to account, charged and called into question pertaining to the Jewish people as respects to birth, origin or religion”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” the reason he was brought before him to be judged was because of the “hope of salvation” which was given to the Jewish people.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” was narrowing his focus toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. He now spoke of the “hope of salvation and resurrection” which is provided through belief and trust in Jesus as a personal “Savior and Lord”. “Paul” believed Jesus would forgive the sins of every person who humbles themselves and yields to Him, and He will also grant everlasting eternal life to them. God loves people, and His “hope of salvation” is extended to every person through His Son Jesus. All that is necessary is for them to “come” to Jesus and receive the “hope” God has in mind for them.
Next time Luke shares how Paul asks King Agrippa, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”, 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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