Ep 446 – Acts 23:12-27

aul was a dead man. At least, as far as the Jewish religious leadership were concerned. They believed it was just a matter of time before they convinced the Roman authorities to condemn Paul as a dangerous threat to the well-being of the empire. They had gone out of their way to portray Paul as a radical and revolutionary who stirring up trouble among the Jews and causing riots that could boil over and threaten the peace of Jerusalem. And then were another 40 Jews who had made a pact with one another not to eat or drink until they had assassinated Paul. It seems as if everyone was out to get him. But nobody could touch him without the express permission of God. Paul had made a habit of walking away from difficult situations, including his own stoning. He was like the Energizer Bunny of the 1st-Century. He just kept going and going and going. And Paul was going to survive this latest dilemma, because God was not done with him yet. He had unfinished plans for Paul, that included a trip to Caesarea and then on to Rome. And there was nothing the Sanhedrin or a zealous group of vigilantes were going to do to stop the sovereign plan of God. The amazing thing is how Paul was able to display such peace in the midst of all the turmoil swirling around him. He was hated and despised but didn't let him it get to him. He seemed to have more enemies than friends, but he never felt alone or forgotten. He was content that he was living within the will of God and protected by the power of God. He lived his life believing the words of the author of Hebrews: "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"