Scripture: After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Acts 28:17-31 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus remained in Malta for three months until the worst winter weather was over. After sailing to Syracuse for a three-day layover, their ship docked overnight at Rhegium and then completed its voyage at Puteoli, where Julius permitted Paul to visit fellow Christians for a seven-day respite. From there, they traveled by land on the Via Appia, where other Christians who heard the news of Paul’s arrival greeted them en route and encouraged Paul, spurring him to give thanks to God. Finally, they arrived in Rome, where Paul stayed under house arrest, guarded by a soldier.
Today’s reading concludes Luke’s second volume of the life of Christ and his church. Three days after arriving at his quarters, Paul summons local Jewish leaders to provide a backstory to his arrest. Declaring his innocence of wrongdoing against fellow Jews and patriarchal customs, Paul explains the circumstances that compelled him to appeal to Caesar without retaliating against his people—adding that he finds himself in chains merely because of the hope of Israel. At this point, the leaders interject that they have not received any letters nor heard any news about this matter but would like to hear Paul’s views regarding the sect (the Way) that Jews everywhere speak against.
Later, a larger group of leaders meet at Paul’s lodgings, where he expounds all day on the Way’s doctrine regarding the Kingdom of God and its Messiah, Jesus, as revealed in the Law of Moses and the Prophets. While some believed others rejected the evidence. Thus, Paul spoke departing words, saying that the Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah, foretelling that God’s people would harden against this revelation and fail to find healing. Consequently, the Gentiles will receive this message of salvation.
In closing, Luke provides an epilogue that Paul lived two years under house arrest at his own expense, welcoming visitors and proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom of God without hindrance.
Of note: Roman law set free those who appealed to Caesar if there was no conviction within two years of the appeal. That Luke cites Paul’s two-year stay with no further mention of Paul’s appeal would indicate that Paul likely was set free. Scholars speculate that Paul wrote his prison epistles after a second arrest a few years later.
Takeaway: Paul’s two years in Rome proved fruitful for the spread of the Gospel. We read further evidence in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, where he writes that the whole imperial guard and all the rest knew of his faith in Christ (Philippians 1:13). That said, Luke concludes his account of the birth and rapid expansion of the church with an exclamation mark on how Jews and Gentiles alike sought Paul’s company during these two years of house arrest, feasting on Paul’s vast knowledge of the Scriptures that point to Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and Savior of the world. Thus, Luke leaves his audience with the imagery of Paul in chains proclaiming an unfettered Gospel to people of all stations of life.
Our takeaway? While most of us will never face the limitations Paul endured through his decades-long missions, we will face restrictions. Indeed, we may go through seasons where we are housebound or limited in some other capacity to move freely. But even when we feel weighed down or confined in movement, our lifesaving message of the Gospel is not. Nothing or no one can shackle our professions of faith, whether testified in words, deeds, or demeanor. Sure, like Paul, we will encounter resistance (confer Matthew 11:12), but our Gospel is an unstoppable force that finds its outlet through every element of our lives. So even if we are housebound or outward bound, vocal or mute, mobilized or paralyzed, the Holy Spirit will witness the good news of Jesus Christ and his kingdom in and through us because the Gospel cannot be fettered.
Our part? Nurture our love for Christ (through meaningful reflection of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers) that spurs faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit will do the rest in and through us because the Gospel cannot be fettered.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, even when nailed to a cross, witnessed his Gospel to a criminal and extended forgiveness to his persecutors. And we thank you for Paul, who modeled to seekers what it means to embrace the Gospel and follow in the footsteps of your Son, whether in prison, on a storm-tossed ship, or under house arrest. So would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to grow in our love and obedience for you and your Son so that we might present our glorious and unfettered Gospel no matter our circumstances or limitations? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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