The beloved physician Luke wrote after Paul defended himself before king Agrippa by sharing how Jesus Christ changed his life, “the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them. And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse one of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius” where we read:
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
The verse begins, “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when it was determined” which means “and at the time and moment it was deemed, thought, resolved and decreed” “that we should sail” or “that we, Luke, Paul and the others with them, ought to depart by ship and travel” “into Italy” which means “to the country of Italy whose name means calf-like and was the whole peninsula between the Alps and the Straits of Messina”. Luke shared how a time arose that it was resolved that he, Paul and those traveling with them, should set sail by ship and journey towards Rome.
The verse continues, “... they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.” Luke added the words, “they delivered Paul” which means “the captors of Paul, whose name means small or little, committed, commended and permitted Paul” “and certain other prisoners” or “and particular different ones who were bound as captives” “unto one named Julius” which means “to a particular and certain man named Julius whose name means soft-haired and was the centurion of "Augustus Band", to whose charge Paul was delivered when he was sent prisoner from Caesarea to Rome”, “a centurion” or “a officer in the Roman army who was the captain of one hundred men” “of Augustus' band” which means “belonging to Augustus', whose name means reverend or venerable and was the title of honor belonging to the Roman emperors which was used to be given certain legions, cohorts or battalions for valor, detachment of military cohorts”. Luke shared how “Paul” and other captives were committed to the oversight of “Julius” who was a “centurion” belonging to “Augustus Caesar's” military cohort.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” was finally on his way to “Rome”. The Lord told “Paul” he would bear witness of him in “Rome”, so it was “decided” that “Paul” and other captives should set sail to “Italy”, and they were put in the care of “Julius” who was a “centurion” and belonged to “Augustus' band” which would lead “Paul” directly to “Rome” where he would share the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves people, and when he determined to send “Paul” to “Rome”, God used this sailing journey and those who watched over him to allow people to hear about His saving grace through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields to Jesus who died for their sins will be forgiven and granted everlasting life with God. Those who surrender themselves to Jesus align with God the Father's plan to offer an invitation to “come” and gain forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.
Next time Luke shares how he, Paul and the others, “entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia”, 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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