In this seemingly simple telling of events, a much more astounding fulfillment unfolds - a fulfillment foretold long before Paul’s conversion. Jesus said “Go, and make disciples of all nations”.

Here we find Paul brought before the Roman Governor to settle a dispute over his life. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem seek to kill Paul with an unwillingness to truly hear and with bloodlust in their hearts. Things are getting too dicey in Jerusalem, so they move the trial to an official Roman court. What is Paul thinking in this moment? Is he scared? Possibly. Is he angry? Maybe. One thing Paul is certain of is that the Lord’s Will is happening. We read previously (v. 11) that the Lord stood by Paul and said “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” They have arrived in Rome and now Paul waits for his moment to testify of Christ Jesus.

Is this the story of a man grasping at straws looking for a way out of a terrible misunderstanding or is this a story of a man who knows without a doubt that God has appointed him to his council in this very spot at this very moment? God often moves his people to uncomfortable, sometimes horrific, places to set his love on display. But take heart… for the God who lives and breathes through us will always fulfill his promises!

[Acts 23.23-35]

23.23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.

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

+ Why were so many soldiers requested in the late evening?

+ Why did Claudius Lysias and the soldiers seek to save Paul from his accusers?

+ Why was it important for Paul to stand before Felix the Governor?

[ 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?

+ Where has the Lord called you before and shown his faithfulness?

+ How has your response changed to the Lord’s Will since that moment?

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

+ What is my next step?

+ To whom will you go to testify that God fulfilled his promise to you in Christ Jesus?