The beloved physician Luke wrote when the Jews in Jerusalem knew Paul was in the temple, “all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shares how Paul was, “borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people” where we read:
And when he came upon the stairs,
so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
The verse begins, “And when he came upon the stairs, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when he came” which means “and at the time and moment Paul arose and approached” “upon the stairs” or “at the location of the stairway leading into the castle” the following occurred. Luke shared as the Roman soldiers were “carrying” “Paul” away from the hostile crowd they reached the location of the stairway to the “castle” where they were taking him.
The verse goes on to say, “... so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.” Luke continues with the words, “so it was” which means “and it happened and came to pass”, “that he was borne of the soldiers” or “that Paul was carried or lifted and upheld by the Roman warriors or military men” “for the violence” which means “because, since and on account of the forceful activity” “of the people” or “by the human beings both male and female”. Luke shared how the “Roman soldiers” lifted and carried “Paul” above the crowd of angry people because they were so hostile and violent against him.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we can employ our imaginations as we picture this scene. The Jewish crowd was raucous and loud, and they were beating “Paul” because he violated their “temple” rules. When the “chief captain” of the Roman cohort along with other soldiers came to where this was happening, he wanted to know who “Paul” was and what he did to cause this “riot”. When there was nothing but confusing accusations made, the “Roman commander” ordered “Paul” to be fastened with two chains and carried out of the crowd to be brought to the “castle” where the “Roman” soldiers were stationed. This intervention by the “Roman commander” was used by God to rescue “Paul”, and just as it was told to him in advance about going to Jerusalem, the people were against him and he was bound. God's plan of spreading His “gospel” through “Paul” was coming together, and even though this event seems to be a distraction along the way, God would use it to get “Paul” to Rome. God has a plan, and He is going to work it out. He desires to have a personal loving relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they surrender themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. They may face opposition like “Paul”for receiving Jesus , but they shall live forever with God in Heaven when they endure whatever circumstances the Lord allows in their lives.
Next time Luke shares how the multitude cried “away with him”, 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