Luke the beloved physician wrote how “certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared what happened, “when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait” where we read:
And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait,
he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
The verse begins, “And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when Paul's sister's son” which means “and at the time and moment Paul's, whose name means small or little, nephew” “heard of their lying in wait” or “was endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding that the over forty men were plotting an ambush”, he did the following. Luke shared how “Paul's” nephew “heard” about the plan to kill “Paul” by the over forty men, and he did the following.
The verse continues, “...he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. ” Luke added the words, “he went” which means “he, Paul's nephew, left and departed” “and entered into the castle” or “and came and made entrance into the barracks of the Roman soldiers which at Jerusalem were in the castle of Antonia”, “and told Paul” which means “and brought tidings, declarations and proclamations to Paul, whose name means small or little”. Luke how “Paul's” nephew went inside the “castle” of the Roman solders which was used for their barracks, and he told “Paul” about the plot of the over forty men against his life.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul's” nephew was used in the rescue plan for “Paul”. As soon as this young man “heard” the plan of the over forty men to kill “Paul”, he went to where “Paul” was incarcerated and told him. God uses all kinds of means to preserve His believers, and in this case, “Paul” was to be kept alive to present the gospel of salvation to others throughout the world. God's love for people was demonstrated when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of every person, and anyone who yields to Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise surrender to Him, and allow Him to direct and preserve them as He sees the benefit of their continual sharing of His gospel.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells a centurion, “Bring this young man unto the chief captain”, 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