2 June 2022
That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’
From Acts 22:30,23:6-11, NRSV
After taking his leave from the church at Ephesus Paul travelled to Jerusalem where, as expected, he faced opposition from the Jews. He was brought before the Jewish council to establish what charges were being made against him. He was brought for trial on false charges before the high priest Ananias just as Jesus had been. The Jewish council was made up of Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, and Pharisees who did. Paul cleverly divided the Council by speaking as a Pharisee directly to the Pharisees. Paul stated that he was on trial for proclaiming hope in the resurrection of the dead. In the uproar between the Sadducees and the Pharisees that followed, Paul was rescued by the Roman soldiers and taken into their fortress. Whilst in custody, Paul received a vision of the Lord encouraging him for the witness he had given and telling him that he must now go and do the same in Rome. As a Roman citizen, it was Paul’s right and desire to be tried for his supposed crimes in Rome rather than in Jerusalem. Now he knew that he had God’s blessing on this course of action.
- What difference did it make to Paul that God was directing him?
- What is your experience of feeling that God is directing you?
Pray for God’s blessing and direction in your own life.
