Acts 23:23-25

Summary retelling of Acts 23:23-25

               

The military leader calls for two centurions and commands them to get their two hundred soldiers ready.  In addition to the foot soldiers, he also commands them to take seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen along.  Altogether, that is four hundred and seventy well trained soldiers.  The military leader commands them to leave at night and head for Caesarea.  He orders them to provide a horse for Paul and to make sure that he gets to Caesarea safely.  Then he prepares to write a letter to Felix, the governor of the region.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As I mentioned yesterday, the military leader reacts swiftly to the plot.  He puts a plan into motion that will not be defeated.  He sends out almost five hundred people to deliver one man safely to Caesarea.  It is clear that while the Jewish leaders might have power in Jerusalem, all of their power and scheming has not impressed this military leader.  Instead, he chooses to protect a single man: the evangelist who bears the Gospel.

Why do you think the military leader was so eager to protect Paul?  Do you think all the reasons had to do with the military leader saving his own skin?  How much of an impact upon the military do you think Paul’s sincerity and trustful nature had to do with this reaction?

Second Thought:

Paul is protected by almost five hundred troops.  Here is a man who used to travel alone, he used to be persecuted by governments, and he used to worry about safety as he travelled.  Now – although certainly he is a prisoner – he is travelling from city to city with a great protective force.  He is even given a horse to ride just so that he doesn’t get tired on the journey.  Most of the soldiers going with him will have to walk, but Paul is given a horse to ride.  Isn’t it amazing the lengths God will go to in order to protect His people?

How do you react to the treatment of Paul now that he is a prisoner?  Did he get treated this well when he was a free person doing ministry in Rome?  Are your eyes continually being opened to the impossible things that God can use to the benefit of His own people?

Third Thought:

The military leader tells his soldiers to leave at night and travel to Caesarea.  There are several reasons.  First, traveling at night would certainly be cooler and risk dehydration much less for the soldiers.  Also, while it might be more dangerous to travel at night for a few people, it won’t be dangerous to travel at night for a group of nearly five hundred well trained soldiers.  But I think the most important reason for going at night is to act before the Jews can ask for Paul to come to them.  It avoids conflict because the military leader can reply by saying that Paul was sent away to Caesarea the night before.  In addition, it sends the direct spiritual message that God can put His actions into play before we can no matter how much we plan and scheme.

What can this story teach us about God’s omnipresence?  What can it teach us about God’s omnipotence?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 23:26-35