FAVOR IN A FRAGILE WORLD
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Opening Prayer
Lord, coming to your Word today, I ask that nothing will distract me from hearing your voice. Still my heart and help me to focus only on what you say to me.
Read ACTS 23:12–22
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Plot to Kill Paul
12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”
16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.
The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight … you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.’1
The book of Acts charts the journey of the church’s mission from Jerusalem into the heart of the gentile world: Rome. In 23:11, Christ affirms that Paul is doing the Lord’s will, despite the opposition and murderous threat from his Jewish brothers, despite the growing divergence between his culture and the world of the gospel. It is heartbreaking that Paul’s testimony includes rejection from the people he most longs to accept the gospel; the city of Jerusalem, which prided itself in being the Lord’s dwelling place, rejected God’s mission to the world when they rejected Jesus. Paul knows, however, that he is following in his Lord’s footsteps and, despite the anguish, he submits to Christ’s authority above all others.
The Sanhedrin members, who were at war with each other over the resurrection, are united again by a plot to murder Paul. We get an insight into Paul’s family here: we already know that he must have come from an influential family because he was a Roman citizen and very well-educated; here we see a possible connection between the Sanhedrin and a member of Paul’s family. We do not know if Paul’s nephew actually had any official loyalty to the Jewish ruling authorities, but in any case, we see that he does not want his uncle murdered: another possible example of conflicting loyalties because of the gospel. The commander, too, shows where his loyalties lie: with Rome and its laws. The commander’s integrity is now to Paul’s advantage as he commits to protect Paul and do a thorough job. Paul tells us to pray for all in authority over us, even if we don’t agree with their politics, religion, or morals so that we can live peaceably.2 It is good to pray for favor, to pray for those in authority to govern with integrity, and for anything that is harmful to the gospel to be brought to light and thwarted.
Apply
Take time now to pray for your nation and local authorities.
Closing prayer
Father, give me a burden for my country and its leaders that leads me to faithful prayer. Help me to pray for them with your heart, for the things that are of most concern to you.
1 Ps 5:8,12 2 1 Tim 2:1, 2
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