The beloved physician Luke wrote as Paul was making his defense before King Agrippa, he told him, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse twenty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared Paul told King Agrippa, “For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple” where we read:
For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
The verse begins, “For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, ...” Luke began with the words, “for these causes” which means “because, since and on account of Paul sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with Jews and Gentiles” “the Jews caught me” or “the Jewish people as respects to birth, origin and religion seized, captured and arrested me, Paul” “in the temple” which means “within the sacred worship place located in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” the reason he was arrested by the Jewish people was because he was spreading the truth of the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles.
The verse continues, “... and went about to kill me.” Luke added the words, “and went about” which means “and made a trial of or attempted” “to kill me” or “to lay hands on, slay and violently take my life from me, Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “king Agrippa” that the Jewish people were also seeking to “take his life” because he was spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we discover the extent to which the Jewish people desired to rid themselves of “Paul”. Because God wants people to know about His salvation plan through His Son Jesus, many who spread His message are met with opposition. This was certainly the case for “Paul”, and because the Jewish people not only arrested him but also desired to “kill” him, they were acting as enemies of God Himself. God loves people, and because there is eternal life after life on earth, God wants people to live with Him. Those who humble themselves and submit to God's Son Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, however, those who refuse, reject and fight against the gospel will find themselves separated from God forever. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus who alone is able to forgive them and grant them eternal life with Him forever.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells King Agrippa, “having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day”, 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