Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told Felix the governor, “Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared what happened, “after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla”, where we read:
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess,
he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
The verse begins, “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, ...” Luke began with the words, “and after certain days” which means “and following a particular number of sunrises to sunsets”, “when Felix came” or “at the time and moment Felix, whose name means happy and was a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel, and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions, arose and appeared” “with his wife Drusilla” which means “alongside his, Felix', female spouse, named Drusilla which means watered by the dew and was the daughter of Agrippa the elder and was a most licentious woman”, “which was a Jewess” or “who belonged to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin or religion”. Luke shared how “Felix” and his “Jewish wife Drusilla” appeared to where “Paul” was being guarded.
The verse goes on to say, “... he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” Luke continued with the words, “he sent for Paul” which means “he, Felix, summoned, beckoned and called for Paul, whose name means small or little” “and heard him” or “and was endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding Paul” “concerning the faith in Christ” which means “about and on account of the conviction, trust and reliance that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God”. Luke shared how “Felix” summoned “Paul” so he could listen to him speak about “salvation through Jesus Christ” in God's Kingdom.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Felix” became interested in “Paul's” message. He brought his Jewish wife “Drusilla” along to listen to “Paul” speak about God's salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. This was indeed “Paul's” opportunity to spread the gospel once again, and we can imagine how specific and intense “Paul” was in his speech as he knew “Felix” was a man of influence. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. He sent Jesus to the world to die for the sins of all mankind, and anyone who puts their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will not only be attracted to Jesus and His message of salvation, but also “hear” and believe this wonderful gospel that was committed to “Paul” to share.
Next time Luke shares about Paul, “as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled”, 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