The beloved physician Luke wrote, “when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning you, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of you”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jews said to Paul, “we desire to hear of you what you think” where we read:
But we desire to hear of you what you think:
for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
The verse begins, “But we desire to hear of you what you think:” Luke began with the words, “but we desire to hear of you” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover we, the Jewish people who gathered to Paul, think it meet, right and judged worthy and deserving to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding” “what you think” or “that which you, Paul, exercise in mind, set affection on and regard”. Luke shared how the Jewish people who assembled with “Paul” at his request desired to listen to his thoughts about the Christian faith.
The verse continues, “for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.” Luke added the words, “for as concerning this sect” which means “because, since and on account that certainly, surely and indeed this dissension arising from diversity of opinions and aims”, “we know that every where” or “we, the Jewish people who gathered to Paul, are well acquainted with and note that in each, the whole, all and every place” “it is spoken against” which means “the sect was contradicted, opposed, declined and refused”. Luke how the Jewish people from “Rome” who gathered themselves to “Paul” told him they were well aware of how “this sect”, Christianity, was being contradicted and opposed in all places.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the Jewish people from “Rome” wanted to listen to what “Paul” had to say about “Christianity” because they were aware of how many people contradicted and opposed it in all places. God knew His plan of salvation would come under attack, and because Jesus made it clear, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (See John 14:6), all other paths to God are invalid. Jesus alone died on the cross for the sins of mankind, and He alone rose from the dead three days later. His death paid the price for sins, and His resurrection demonstrated His willingness to offer eternal life to all who believe and trust in Him. The enemy of mankind's soul is Satan, and he does not want anyone to believe and trust in Jesus. Therefore, he fights against God's plan of redemption, and even as in “Paul's” day, “everywhere it is spoken against”. Those who are wise refuse to hear the opposing noise and choose to receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” who will provide them with forgiveness of sins and everlasting life with His Father God in Heaven.
Next time Luke shares how, “there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus”, 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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