Luke the beloved physician wrote how Claudius Lysias, “wrote a letter after this manner” concerning Paul the apostle, “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twenty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Claudius Lysias said concerning Paul, “Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds” where we read:
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law,
but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
The verse begins, “Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, ...” Luke began with the word, “whom I perceived” which means “that I, Claudius Lysias, understood, had knowledge of and examined” “to be accused” or “to have charges brought against and called to account” “of questions of their law” which means “pertaining to debates concerning the Jewish rules”. Luke shared how “Claudius Lysias” informed “Felix the governor” how he examined “Paul” and discovered the reason the Jewish people were bringing charges against him was because he was perceived as violating the Jewish “law”.
The verse goes on to say, “... but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.” Luke continued with the words, “but to have nothing” which means “except or moreover to hold, own and possess not one thing” “laid to his charge” or “as an accusation or charge of a crime” “worthy of death of bonds” which means “weighing, befitting, congruous or corresponding to the taking of his life, killing him or putting Paul in bands, chains or impediments”. Luke shared how “Claudius Lysias” let “Felix” know that he did not discover anything done by “Paul” that merited being killed or kept in chains and impediments.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Claudius Lysias” wanted “Felix the governor” to know that he had thoroughly examined “Paul” but did not find any reason or cause by which he should be killed or kept in bonds because the Jewish people were accusing him of violating their own “law”. All these words were to justify why “Claudius Lysias” was sending “Paul” to “Felix”, and behind the scenes was God was using this situation to continue sharing His “good news” of “salvation” through His Son Jesus to all mankind. Those who are wise see God's hand even in this letter, and when they understand to what great lengths God has gone to forgive the sins of man and grant him everlasting life, they should yield themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how Claudius Lysias says, “when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to 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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