The beloved physician Luke wrote, “when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly there”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how Festus said the complainants against Paul should go to Caesarea to, “accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him”, where we read:
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me,
and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
The verse begins, “Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, ...” Luke began with the words, “let them therefore” which means “allow and permit the accusers against Paul then, wherefore, consequently and on this account”, “said he” or “uttered, proclaimed and declared Festus”, “which among you are able” which means “who are with the ability, power, strength and influence”, “to go down with me” or “to descend alongside and accompany me, Festus, to the city of Caesarea”. Luke shared how “Festus” invited any of the “priests” or “leaders” of the Jews to travel with him to “Caesarea” if they were capable.
The verse goes on to say, “... and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.” Luke continued with the words, “and accuse this man” which means “and judge, make accusation and bring offense against Paul”, “if there be any wickedness” or “whether there exists certain and particular evil, wrongdoing or error” “in him” which means “within Paul”. Luke shared how “Festus” told the “high priest and chief of the Jews” that when they accompanied him to Caesarea, they could make accusations against “Paul” as to whether there existed any wrongdoing or error within him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Festus” invited the “leaders” in Jerusalem to travel with him to “Caesarea” so they could bring their accusations of wrongdoing against “Paul”. “Festus” would not bring “Paul” to them, but he allowed them to travel with him to where “Paul” was being kept. Once again, God was in control, and though His plan was being fulfilled through people, God's hand of direction was behind the scenes. His good news of salvation through His Son Jesus was to be available to everyone, and anyone who yields themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. This message is eternal, and those who are wise will see the hand of the Lord Jesus administering His good news and surrender to Him.
Next time Luke shares when Festus, “tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment