The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had worked among the Gentiles by his ministry”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when they heard it, they glorified the Lord” where we read:
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
The verse begins, “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “they heard it” or “James and the elders in Jerusalem”, “they glorified the Lord” which means “James and the elders honored, praised and credited the One to whom a person or things belongs about which he has power of deciding; master and the title to God the Messiah”, “and said unto him” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to Paul” the following words. Luke shared how “James and the elders” in “Jerusalem” gave “glory and honor” to God for all the works done through “Paul”, and they proclaimed the following words to him.
The verse continues, “... You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:” Luke added the words, “you see” which means “behold, look and consider”, “brother” or “fellow believer who is united to others by the bond of affection ”, “how many thousands of Jews” which means “in what manner and way thousands of people belonging to the Jewish nation as respects to origin, birth or religion” “there are which believe” or “there exist who trust in, rely upon, cling to and have confidence in Jesus”; “and they are all zealous” which means “and each and every one of the Jewish people who believe are burning with zeal, eager and vehemently contending” “of the law” or “pertaining to the rules, precepts and injunctions producing a state approved of God”. Luke shared how “James and the elders in Jerusalem” referred “Paul” to all the “Jewish people” who were “burning with zeal” toward the “rules of God”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “James and the elders in Jerusalem” took the occasion of “Paul” telling them how “God” worked among the “Gentiles” to remind him of the “law of God” to which the many “Jews” observed throughout Jerusalem. “Paul” spoke of God's grace, and “James and the elders” pointed him to the “law”. God's “law” pointed people to Jesus Christ (See Galatians 3:24-25) because the “law of God” declares the sinfulness of mankind. God sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world, and He died on the cross so the sins of every person may be forgiven when they believe and trust in Him. Jesus rose from the grave three days after He was dead, and “everlasting life” will be granted to everyone who submits to Him. When a person understands the reason for the law and it's intent, they may come to Jesus who alone is able to forgive and save them for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how the Jews tell Paul, “you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses”, 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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