Day 187

1 Chronicles 2:18–4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

YESTERDAY IN OUR reading from Acts, more than forty men conspired to assassinate Paul in Jerusalem. Paul was a Roman citizen, and when the plot was discovered, an armed guard of nearly five hundred soldiers transported Paul from Jerusalem to the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima, from which the Romans governed the region.

As we continued the story today, Ananias, the high priest, arrived in Caesarea with an entourage that included legal counsel. Paul was brought before the Roman governor Felix to face the accusations of the Jewish council, but the Jews were unable to offer any proof of wrongdoing on Paul’s part.

When Paul was given the floor, he explained why he had been in Jerusalem and articulated his faith in the Hebrew religion, as well as his devotion to Jesus. Realizing that the matter was religious and not civil or political, Felix deferred judgment and kept Paul under arrest but allowed him many freedoms, such as letting his friends visit and care for him. Felix, a Roman governor who was married to a Jewess, was familiar with the teachings of Jesus. He and his wife, Drusilla, often spent time in conversation with Paul over the next two years.

Let’s pause and review how this story developed —and its implications.

Paul was instructed by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem even though it would involve imprisonment. Nearly everyone in Paul’s life advised against this. Even prophetic utterances warned him of his coming chains, but Paul was resolute that he must obey God regardless of the outcome.

Paul was in fact arrested in Jerusalem. But rather than taking him out of commission, his arrest served to guard and protect him as he shared his testimony. His incarceration allowed an assassination plot to be uncovered, and he was brought safely to Caesarea under massive military protection. Paul again had the opportunity to share his testimony before the Roman governor and the high priest, which led to many more conversations about Jesus with Felix and Drusilla.

Lest we minimize the kinds of people Paul was sharing the gospel with, Antonius Felix held the same kind of authority that Pontius Pilate had during Jesus’ life and ministry. The Jewish high council (or Sanhedrin) was the group of devout men who influenced and enforced Hebrew culture and religion. Drusilla was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa.

Although under arrest, Paul was able to clearly share the gospel of Jesus with people he would have never been able to meet otherwise. God prepared a way for the most powerful and influential Jews and Gentiles in the entire region to hear the Good News. May we never underestimate what God is up to in our lives based on circumstance. There is always more to the story if we are awake and aware —and collaborating in relationship with Him.

MEDITATION:

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.