Rescued In The Nick Of Time

Rescued In The Nick Of Time

Do you remember the Bible story about the daring young nephew? Not many do.

ROMAN TROOPS had rescued Paul from a riot that ensued when he addressed the Sanhedrin the previous day. Fearing the continued violent reaction of the Jews to Paul, the Roman commander kept Paul under guard overnight in the Roman army barracks (Acts 22:30–23:10).

Meanwhile, since Jews from Asia Minor (21:27-31) and some of the members of the Sanhedrin had both been unsuccessful in their previous attempts to kill Paul (23:10), on June 4, A.D. 57, more than forty Jewish men devised a plot to murder Paul, binding themselves by an oath not to eat or drink until they had accomplished their mission. Telling the chief priests of the oath they had taken, they plotted with the priests and the elders to petition the Roman commander to bring Paul again before the Sanhedrin on the pretext of gaining more information about his case. Their plan was that the would-be assassins would kill Paul on the way (23:12-15).

But the most carefully laid plans of men are of no avail against God. In this case, God supernaturally intervened through Paul’s nephew. The brave nephew learned of the plot and, in spite of the risk to himself personally, came to the Roman barracks to inform Paul of what he had heard. Paul then asked one of the centurions to take the young man to the commander, Lysias. Paul’s nephew told him about the plot, and Lysias immediately ordered almost half of the troops in Jerusalem to take Paul safely to Governor Felix in Caesarea. Then he wrote a letter to the governor explaining that Paul was a Roman citizen and therefore he was transferring the case to him:

From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix. Greetings! This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. Then I took him to their high council to try to find out what he had done. I soon discovered it was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you. (23:26-30)

That same night the Roman troops left under cover of darkness and marched with Paul some thirty-five miles to the city of Antipatris to save him from those wishing to kill him.

God used Roman justice to thwart the Jewish opposition to Paul and the bravery of a young man to save his uncle Paul’s life.

Reflection

How have you experienced God’s protection in your life? Did you see God’s hand in it at the time or only later after reflection? As we consider this story, we see not only how God protects his children but also how he can use us in the lives of others. Whether we are on the giving end or the receiving end, it is wonderful to be a participant when God is protecting his own!

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! . . . The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Psalm 46:1-3, 7