The beloved physician Luke wrote when the chief captain and the men who examined Paul discovered he was a Roman, they “loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth” where we read:
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
The verse begins, “And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him ...” Luke began with the words, “and the high priest Ananias” which means “and the chief priest whose name was Ananias which means whom Jehovah has graciously given” “commanded them that stood by him” or “ordered and charged the men who were standing near to Paul” to do the following. Luke shared how the “high priest” whose name was “Ananias” ordered the men who were standing next to Paul to do the following.
The verse continues, “... to smite him on the mouth.” Luke added the words, “to smite him” which means “to strike and beat Paul” “on the mouth” or “upon his orifice in the face for eating and speaking”. Luke shared how the “high priest” ordered the men standing near Paul to “smack” him on the “mouth”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “high priest” responded to “Paul's” words about being “in all good conscience before God” to that “day”. He ordered the men who were standing next to “Paul” to hit him in the “mouth”. Needless to say, he did not like what “Paul” said, and “Paul” shall respond to his order in our next verse. God was watching all these things, and He allowed “Paul” to endure this ill treatment because it would serve to share His gospel with people once again. God allowed His Son Jesus to die on the cross to provide salvation to everyone who believes and trusts in Him, and when they submit to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Let all who read these words put themselves in the place of “Paul” and be challenged to respond to opposition in the same manner as him so that God's “good news” will be shared.
Next time Luke shares how, “Paul unto him, God shall smite you, you whited wall”, 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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