When you write these installments for The Daily, you are not privy to what the authors who are covering the previous verses are going to say or focus on. The section we will examine today can only be understood in all of its awesome fullness when you grasp what had happened to Paul in the days leading up to these events.

This was a passage of Scripture with which I was familiar, but I didn’t pay much attention to in the past. However, it has spoken to me in a fresh and profound way this week. Isn’t that just like our Great and Good God, to speak to us through His Word in a time when we really need to hear from Him???

[Acts 23.12-22]

23.12 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. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 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. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was it that made this group of men so determined to kill Paul? Reread Acts 21.27-22.21. Have you ever encountered hatred due to your belief in Jesus? Share stories within your group.

+ Have you ever made an oath or swore to do or not to do something and later, did not carry through on your promise? Share stories within your group. Also, read Numbers 30.2, Matthew 5.33-36 and James 5.12 and maybe you can avoid any issues like this in the future!!!

+ What do you make of the fact that this conspiracy included the chief priests and elders? Have you ever believed or been part of something you thought was so right and later determined it was the exact wrong thing to condone? Share stories within your group.

+ What do you think of Paul having his nephew tell the tribune of the plot against his life? Does this show a lack of faith on his part based on what Jesus had promised in Acts 23.11? Have you ever been accused of having little or no faith because you did or didn’t do something others thought you should? Share stories in your group.

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ It may be a bit of conjecture on my part, but I believe Paul was greatly discouraged about his conduct before the ruling council in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 23.1-10 (however, he hints at this possibility in Acts 24.20-21). We know Paul’s love for the Jewish people (read Romans 9.1-4). First, he had a golden opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus to those in leadership in Jerusalem, but the situation nearly turned into a riot. He reacted poorly (but totally naturally) to an unwarranted punch in the mouth, then he cleverly devised for an argument to ensue between warring parties so he could escape from those who were going to “tear him to pieces” [v. 10]. Now he is confined to a Roman barracks in Jerusalem, wondering if his ministry was over and unsure how fruitful it had ever even been.

Paul had been in jail before, but I think he was at his lowest point here. Then, Jesus steps in in a very special way as recorded in Acts 23.11:

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Listen how R.C. Sproul interprets this verse: “…it says Jesus stood by him. That is a weak translation. The Greek words indicate that Jesus came and, in a sense, overshadowed Paul. His presence was enormous. There was Paul cringing in his cell, and suddenly Jesus hovered over him and said “Be of good cheer”. This was no glib “cheer up”. Jesus was saying ‘Paul, be constant, be consistent. Stay with the ministry you have had through all these years, day in and day out’. That is a message we ALL need to hear”.

Paul thought he had screwed up, but Jesus tells him it’s OK, he DID testify to the facts about Him in Jerusalem. The results would be left up to the Lord. Then, he heard the words ALL of us want to hear from God, “I have more for you to do”!!! Jesus promises that he will have the opportunity to continue to serve Him, by testifying about Him in Rome!!! This lifted Paul from his doldrums, where even the news that 40 TRAINED assassins were after him didn’t even phase him!!!

As you get older, you start wondering whether your life has really even meant anything for the Kingdom of God. But if your heart is beating and you have breath in your lungs, there is still more time to do something significant for the cause of Christ. And that message is just what this 40+ year servant of Christ needed to hear this week!!!

Heavenly Father, You are gracious and kind to those who strive to serve you although we fail time and time again in our mission. Renew our strength to continue to serve and spread the Gospel of Jesus to everyone we meet. Amen.

[Lamentations 3.22-24]

3.22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?