The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul continued to give defense for himself before a hostile Jewish crowd in Hebrew by saying, “when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance. And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get you quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive your testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send you far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared, “as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air” where we read:
And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
The verse begins, “And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, ...” Luke began with the words, “and as they cried out” which means “and while and during the time the Jewish people clamored, shouted aloud and vociferated”, “and cast off their clothes” or “and threw or ripped their garments, cloaks, mantles and tunics” and did the following. Luke shared how the hostile Jewish multitude began to tear off their garments as they shouted aloud concerning “Paul's” words.
The verse goes on to say, “... and threw dust into the air, ...” Luke continued with the words, “and threw dust” which means “and cast or thrust dirt” “into the air” or “into the atmospheric region or toward the sky”. Luke shared how the Jewish crowd also “thrust dirt” toward the sky which demonstrated their anguish over “Paul's” words.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn .about the response of the “Jewish crowd” toward “Paul” and his words. Not only were they inwardly in anguish over what “Paul” told them, they demonstrated their displeasure by tearing their garments and throwing dirt into the “air”. We can imagine this chaotic scene. We shall see what happens to “Paul” because of this in our next verse, but for now let us realize that God's message of “salvation” is not always received. Sometimes it it rejected fully by those who hear it. God loves people, and He continually extends His invitation to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. When a person submits to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words carefully consider the response of this “crowd” and realize there is a much better choice to make when it comes to God's Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how the chief captain says Paul, “should be examined by scourging”, 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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