October 31
Bible Reading: Acts 23:12-22
Acts 23:12-14, “When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, ‘We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul’.”
Wherever Paul traveled, he often found himself in trouble, not due to his actions, but because of the gospel he preached. The conflict intensified in Jerusalem after he shared regarding his mission to the Gentiles. Some Jews, zealous for the law, falsely accused him of undermining Jewish customs. Although church leaders attempted to appease these opponents, their plan failed. When Paul defended himself, mentioning his ministry to Gentiles, chaos erupted.
Paul was then brought before the council, where he cleverly sparked a division by discussing the resurrection. This led to violent discord between the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection, and the Sadducees, who did not. To protect Paul from harm, the tribune ordered him taken away by force.
Meanwhile, a conspiracy formed among over forty Jews who vowed not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. They devised an ambush for him during a supposed interrogation (Acts 23:12-15). Their animosity was intense; they sought to murder him, not for any wrongdoing but because they opposed his message of salvation by grace and his outreach to Gentiles (Acts 20:24; 21:20; 22:21-22).
Paul’s nephew learned of the ambush and warned Paul, who then instructed a centurion to take him to the tribune. The tribune responded promptly, sending a substantial force to escort Paul safely to Felix, the governor (Acts 23:16-24). God providentially worked through the nephew and the quick response of the tribune to keep Paul safe!
This hostility arose from a zeal for God that lacked knowledge (Romans 10:2). Yet, God, who had saved Paul before, continued to watch over him until his mission of sharing the gospel of grace was complete (Acts 23:11). Paul endured much for the sake of the Lord and the gospel. That good news about Jesus, though opposed by many, is a treasure worth living and proclaiming, no matter the cost.
“He would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain sailing in any work of God.” –James O. Fraser
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
LookingtoJesus 