The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul began to answer for himself before Felix the governor by saying, “Forasmuch as I know that you have been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. Because that you may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto you, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul tells Felix, “after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings”, where we read:
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
The verse begins, “Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, ...” Luke began with the words, “now after many years” which means “moreover following a great and abundant number of years” “I came to bring alms” or “I, Paul, arose and appeared to make ready, prepare and produce donations of charity and merciful and pitiful givings” “to my nation” which means “toward my, Paul's, multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” about his return to Jerusalem following a great number of years so he could give donations of charity to his “nation”.
The verse continues, “... and offerings.” Luke added the words, “and offerings” which means “and gifts or presents”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” he also returned to Jerusalem to give “presents” to his “nation” as well.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” informed “Felix” about his journey back to Jerusalem after being gone for “many years”. He came back to “Jerusalem” to give “donations of charity and presents” to his “nation”, Israel, and was purposed to comply with that method of worship toward God. God loves people to “give” to Him even as He has “given” to them. He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world, and anyone who comes in faith to His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will see “Paul's” defense of aligning with his adversaries to allow him to present the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they should be inspired to follow his example and share their testimony with the world.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells Felix, “certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple”, 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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