Luke the beloved physician wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem knew Paul was in the temple, “all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-six of the book of Acts Luke shares how the multitude cried out, “away with him” where we read:
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
The verse begins, “For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, ...” Luke began with the words, “for the multitude of the people” which means “because, since and on account that the crowd of Jewish people” “followed after” or “joined and accompanied the Roman soldiers who were carrying Paul”, “crying” which means “shouting aloud and vociferating” the following words. Luke shared how the “crowd” of Jewish people accompanied the “Roman soldiers” who were carrying “Paul” to the “castle”, and as they followed along, they were shouting the following words.
The verse continues, “... Away with him.” Luke added the words, “away with” which means “remove, carry off and put off” “him” which refers to “Paul”. Luke shared how the crowd of people were shouting that “Paul” should be “removed” and “carried away” from them.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” faced a similar situation as Jesus. (See Luke 23:18; John 19:15). As the crowd chased after the “Roman soldiers” who were carrying “Paul” away from them, they shouted out “away with him” just the way the crowd responded to Jesus before his crucifixion. Even though God chose “Paul” to be His messenger of the “gospel”, he was to suffer in a similar way as Jesus Himself. God never promises that the person who receives His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will never go through problems and adversity, but He does promise to be with them in and through them. God so loves people, that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for their sins, and whoever believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will not join a “crowd” that says, “Away with him”, but rather receive Jesus Christ and His “good news of salvation” to all mankind.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “said unto the chief captain, may I speak unto you?”, 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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