Donkey Ride to Empty Tomb

 

1993 years ago, between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday Jesus was in the busiest week of His life on earth.

He invested His time teaching in the temple in Jerusalem by day and nights on the Mount of Olives praying or at Bethany with His friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Luke 21:37-38, Luke 22:53.

His Passion Week itinerary from the donkey ride to the empty tomb looked something like this.

Palm Sunday.                                                                

He headed to Jerusalem from Bethany, a couple mile walk across the Mount of Olives.

The day He did it was perfect. The sinless, spotless Lamb of God came to them, on the very day they chose the Passover Lamb. Exodus 12:1-14.

The way He did it couldn’t be missed. Exactly as prophesied that the Messiah would come riding on the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9.

The timing provided undeniable proof beyond the shadow of a doubt. Daniel 9:25.

About 500 years prior the angel Gabriel told Daniel, that Messiah would come “sixty-nine weeks” (69 sevens, or 483 years, or 173,880 days) after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.

The decree came, March 14, 445 BC by Artaxerxes. Nehemiah 2.

Exactly 173,880 days later to the day, on April 6 32 AD Jesus, rode into Jerusalem sitting on a donkey’s colt.

The crowd hailed Him as Messiah and King, shouting “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” Psalm 118:25-26.

The crowds cheered. Jesus teared.

Jesus sobbed as He looked out over Jerusalem, knowing:

1.    They would not accept Him as the Passover Lamb. John 1:11.

2.    They did not know the time of their visitation. Luke 19:44.

3.    In less than a week the cheers would turn to jeers; from Hosanna to Crucify Him. Matthew 27:22, Mark 15:12-13, Luke 23:20-21.

Then, Jesus dried His eyes and made His way into Jerusalem and into the temple and looked around and because it was already late, He returned to lodge at Bethany. Mark 11:11.

Mad Monday.

Withered and whipped

On the way from Bethany back to Jerusalem Jesus was hungry and stopped by a fig tree full of leaves, but it had no figs, it looked good but had no fruit. So, for the hypocrisy of the fruitless fig, He said, “May no one eat fruit from you again.” Mark 11:14.

It withered on the spot. Matt. 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14, 22-26.

The disciples were amazed. Wow, how’d the tree wither so fast?

 Jesus didn’t miss this moment to minister a multipurpose object lesson.

1)    Faith in God

“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. ²² And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:22-24.

2)    Forgiveness and Prayer

²⁵ “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26.

3)    Hypocrisy.

He showed His disdain for hypocrisy, by doing to the fig tree what would happen to Jerusalem because of their hypocrisy.

Speaking of hypocrisy, once in Jerusalem, Jesus made a whip and went DOGE on the waste, fraud and abuse, in the temple and drove out the den of thieves. Matt. 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46.  

What? No! Not our meek and mild gentle Jesus.

Yes, this Jesus.

The temple merchants were taking advantage of travelers. Fleecing them over their fleece; saying their lambs weren’t good enough. But no worries, we have just what you need in the temple corral. For a small fee, of course.

Oh, I’m so sorry we can’t accept your foreign currency. But no worries, we have just what you need, we can exchange your money for temple currency. For a small fee, of course.

The Good Shepherd protects His sheep.

The thief pretends to be a shepherd but comes only to steal, kill and destroy.

So, when the True Shepherd shows up to stop waste, fraud and abuse, to stop the steal, to protect the sheep, the wolves growl, their fangs show, they can’t help themselves.

Folks against driving out the den of thieves, people against exposing waste, fraud and abuse, are not shepherds, but thieves, wolves with fangs showing.  

 

Teaching Tuesday.

Jesus went to the temple again and taught, taught, taught, a lot. lot. lot. Matthew 21:23-23:39, Mark 11:27-12:44, Luke 20:1-21:4.

He told the parable of the Two Sons, and the one about the Wicked Vinedressers, and of course the parable of the Wedding Feast. He schooled the Pharisees about paying taxes and silenced the Sadducees with wisdom about the Resurrection. He clearly revealed the First Commandment and then stumped them all when He asked, “If David calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?”

He was just getting warmed up when He threw the scribes and Pharisees under the chariot, with a long list of woes.

Matthew 23:13... But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ...

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. ...

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ...

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ...

33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

But that’s not all.

He went to Mount of Olives and taught some more. We call this the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24:1-25:46, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36.

He taught about the destruction of the temple, the signs of the times, the great tribulation and the end of the age.

Jesus said and did so much that if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25.

Some say this was His busiest day. When all is said and done, they figure He probably ministered about 20 hours or more, this Terrific Teaching Tuesday.

 

Where’s Wednesday?

Watching, Praying... Plotting

Since there’s no Biblical record of this specific day, some say He took Wednesday off to watch and pray.

After all Tuesday was a long day.

Plus, it compliments His teaching that we ought to work six days and rest one.

One thing’s for sure and certain, even if He wasn’t in the temple preaching, He was certainly praying.

And His enemies were certainly plotting.

While Jesus invested His time praying, teaching, preaching, planning, for Life, for all; the Sanhedrin plotted and schemed and planned for death, His death. Matt. 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2.

 

Thursday

Last Supper

Matthew 26:20-35, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30.

This is why His Church family takes communion, in honor and remembrance of Him.

This is My body, broken for you.

This is My blood of the New Covenant, shed for the remission of sins.

Do this in remembrance of Me.

Upper Room Discourse

John 13:1-17:26.

Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, even those of Judas. Jesus loved Judas to the end. He gave Judas the honor of sitting near Him and dipping bread with Him. He held the door of repentance open until Judas slammed it shut and walked away.

He gave The New Commandment; Love as I have loved. John 13:34-35.

He Predicted Peter's denial.

He said:

I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life. John 14:6.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. John 14:27.

I AM the Vine you are the branches. John 15:5.

These things I have spoken, that My joy may remain in you and your joy may be full. John 15:11.

In the world will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I've overcome the world. John 16:33.

Told them He would not leave them orphans, but send them the Helper, Comforter, Teacher, His Holy Spirit. John 14:26.

Jesus wrapped up the Upper Room Discourse with the Powerful Passionate Prayer, for me and you in John 17. He asked the Father to make us one. To keep us from the evil one, and of all those He’s given us, that none would be lost.

Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46.

Prayer so intense His sweat was as great drops of blood. Luke 22:44.

He told the disciples to watch and pray. They slept. Matthew 26:40-41.

He won the battle at the cross, here in the garden, by yielding to His Father, "Not My will but Thine be done." Luke 22:42.

The first Adam sinned in a garden and brought death.

The last Adam suffered in a garden and brought Life.

 

Friday

Betrayed with a kiss

Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12.

By the ultimate picture of hypocrisy and betrayal, the kiss of death, Judas betrayed the One who loved Him most. 

Sham trials

Matthew 26:57-68, 27:1-2, Mark 14:53-65, 15:1, Luke 22:54-23:25, John 18:13-19:16.

He stood before the Jewish religious leaders, Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin.

Then He stood before the Romans, Pilate, Herod, and then Pilate again.

The religious leaders only sought a way to destroy Him.

Herod only wanted a show.

Only Pilate was looking for Truth.

The Cross

Matthew 27:27-54, Mark 15:16-39, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16-37.

Jesus the Creator willingly allowed His creation to crucify Him.

Like six days of creation, and then, rest; He hung on the cross enduring the pain for six hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Seven times He spoke from the cross:

1)    Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Forgiveness.

2)    I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43. Salvation.

3)    “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25-27. Relationship.

4)    " I thirst” John 19:28-29. Jesus said that to fulfill Psalm 69:21. “...in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.”

5)    “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Mark 15:33-34. Sin of humanity on Him.

6)    “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He handed over the spirit.” John 19:30. The Word is Tetelestai, which means, the dept is paid in full.

7)    “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit”; and when He had said this He breathed his last.” Luke 23:44-46.

The Burial

Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42.

Even His burial place was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Isaiah 53:9. And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Matthew 27:57-60: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

 

1993, years ago, God chose to tell a profound, but simple story using a Lamb, a donkey a calendar, a cross... And an empty tomb. (We’ll visit this on Resurrection Sonday).

He presented Himself as the Passover Lamb. Answering, Exodus 12:1-14.

He fulfilled Messianic Prophecy with a donkey ride. Fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.

Over 500 years in advance, He predicted to the very day on the calendar when it all would happen. Daniel 9:25.

He died on a Roman cross as the Passover Lamb on Passover Day at exact time the Passover lambs were slain.

Buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizing His sinless body.

He rose on the Feast of First Fruits...  (We'll talk about that more on Resurrection Sonday).

Only God could establish these Feasts 1,500 years in advance to be Divinely timed with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

From the Garden of Eden to the Garden Tomb, all the Bible, all the types and shadows, lead to Jesus, the Substance at the end of the shadow.

He is the only One whereby we can pass over from death to Life.

Let's pray.  

Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring this week, 1993 years ago.

Thank You.

Thank You.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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The Invisible, Patient, Hand of Providence, Acts 23:12-35

 

You know him. He used to hobnob with the elite, the movers and shakers, the changemakers, in their eyes he could do no wrong, he could get away with murder.

But then, he switched sides, he saw the Light, now, in their eyes, he can do no right, they want him dead.

Who is he?

Trump?

No.

Musk?

No.

RFK Jr.

Nope.

Paul.

There you go.

After the latest assassination attempt on Paul’s life, the Romans arrested him, mostly for his own safety.

Now, he’s spent two nights in prison. Last night was awesome. Jesus showed up!

The Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 22:11.

Yes! I knew it. I felt it. That’s exactly where I wanted to go. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah! Okay, let’s go. Look out Rome, ready or not, here I come.

Did you know that Peter was in that same prison years earlier? Perhaps the very same cell, maybe he saw scratched in the wall, “Pete was here”.

Just imagine, this could be the very place where an angel showed up, the chains fell off, the doors opened, and Peter received an angelic escort all the way out to the street.

Only this time, instead of an angel, Jesus Himself showed up!

Paul must’ve been thinking, “Hallelujah! Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!” Then he must’ve been expecting the chains to fall off, the doors to fling open, so he could dance and sing all the way to Rome.

But the night went still, and dark, and cold.

Nothing happened.

Have you ever been in his position?

The answer you thought would happen, prayed would happen, believed would happen...never happened.

Nothing.

Then, what happened wasn’t at all what you expected, it was the complete opposite.

Welcome to the invisible, patient, hand of Providence.

Acts 23:12-13
And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. ¹³ Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.

These forty men twisted themselves together, bound to an oath, the word is anathematizó: to curse, to declare anathema.

They devoted themselves to utter destruction, unless they kill Paul.

They are saying, “let ourselves be accursed, if we don’t kill Paul.”

To see the invisible, we must look beyond the seen to the unseen.

2 Cor. 4:17-18:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Look beyond the seen to the unseen and note that, Jesus visiting Paul in prison did not go unnoticed by the devil.

When God is on the move, the devil mobilizes a mob, led by deception, fed by bloodlust, for the purpose of killing, stealing and destroying.

Jesus says of them, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44.

He also says: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.

¹⁴ They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Kill, kill, kill, we’ve heard that word three times already; and there’s two more before we’re through.

The mindset of the demonically driven mob is obvious. They don’t care about further inquiries, they only care about killing.

They have one focus, one goal: kill the object of their hatred.

But the plot thickens.

Now we meet villains even more vile.

The murderous mob sees straight through the black pious looking robes, to the black corrupt hearts of the chief priests and elders. So, like demons seeking strength from those more wicked than themselves, they ask them to join them, because evil loves company.

 Rather than condemning the mob as they should, the chief priests and elders are complicit with them in deception and conspiracy to murder.

They pat each other’s back and laugh.

The father of lies, smiles.

Perhaps Paul sits and stares at the chains he thought should’ve been severed.

Probably he prayed, “Lord help me see beyond these chains to Your invisible Providential plan.”                                   

16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

From out of nowhere, or better, more accurate, from out of Somewhere, from out of the invisible, patient, hand of Providence, a new character is introduced into the Divinely inspired Word of God. Paul’s sister’s son.

Up to this point the only thing we’ve ever seen or heard about Paul’s family is that he was the “son of a Pharisee” Acts 23:6.

Now at just the right time and place, his nephew overhears the conspirators. We don’t even know his name, but it appears this young man was born for such a time as this.

The young man hears, and tells, and everything changes.

The Invisible Patient Providence of God, smiles.

The devil’s left frowning, wondering, where’d he come from?

Notice, the serpent still uses mobs and black-robed political figures, to deceive and murder. (Their Sanhedrin, like our Supreme Court, isn’t always supreme. They gave us the wicked lie, “Separation of Church and State”, banning prayer and Bibles, they invited the slaughtering of millions upon millions of babies by abortion, they bowed to anti-Biblical marriage, and then there’s the black robed rogue judges turning our constitution inside out).

However, God simply uses family, to hear the Truth and tell the Truth. Like Paul’s nephew.   

When all hell breaks loose, when everything goes sideways, do not fear; for it is then, the sidewinder is squirming the most. For it is then, he knows the invisible, patient hand of Providence, is on the move.

When Pharaoh ordered all male babies to be slaughtered. By the invisible, patient, hand of Providence, Moses the deliverer was born.

When Haman prepared for all Jews to be massacred. By the invisible, patient, hand of Providence, Queen Esther who was born for such a time as this, stood out, spoke up, and saved her nation.

When Herod decreed every male child two years and under be murdered. By the invisible, patient, hand of Providence, the Messiah, the Deliverer of deliverers, Jesus the Christ, was born.

When Hitler committed genocide against six million Jews. By the invisible, patient, hand of Providence, Israel the nation was reborn.

When it happens again, by antichrist, they will see Him whom they pierced, and all Israel will be saved. Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:26.

When all hell breaks loose, and everything goes sideways, do not give up. Look up. Watch and pray. For then is when, the Invisible, Patient, Hand of Providence, is on the move.

The invisible hand of Providence is invincible.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”

A centurion had command of a hundred Roman soldiers. He could send a hundred men into battle with just a word.

So, why in the world would he beckon to the call of Paul? Why would he personally carry out the request of a prisoner? 

Roman citizens had certain privileges.

1.     Can’t be accused of a capital offense without substantial witnesses.

2.     Can’t be scourged, whoever did, could be killed for it. (They almost scourged Paul, Acts 22:24-25.)

3.     Can appeal to Caesar in Rome. (Acts 25).

4.     Can request Roman officials for certain tasks. (Was this one?)

Perhaps they were walking softly since they almost scourged Paul.

Mostly, the invisible hand of Providence was at work.

Not that God was forcing them. He doesn’t force people, He knows people, better than they know themselves and thus, He knows how to soften hearts.

19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”

Tender moment.

The young man must’ve been early teens at most. Otherwise taking him by the hand would’ve been way too weird.

The commander was conscientious and cautious. He took him aside and asked privately.

Interesting how the Roman, the gentile, the one the Jews back then would consider a Godless dog, is the one who shows more Godliness, more common courtesy, more kindness than the ones who profess Godliness.

Put yourself in the commander’s sandals.

You command centurions, they command hundreds, thus, you might command thousands. Would you take the time on a moment’s notice to talk to some prisoner’s nephew?

This commander did.

The invisible hand of God weaves His plan through the ways of man.

I don’t know but I won’t be a bit surprised to see this commander, in heaven.

He acted honorably, he saved Paul’s life, more than once, he was seeking, asking, wanted to know for certain, he’s mentioned eighteen times in Acts 21-24.

And this commander, Claudius Lysias, is the catalyst to carry out the next step in God’s plan for Paul.

Friends, family, every person on the planet, has been created in the image of God.

Some may be past the point of no return.

Most are not.

So, we cannot look at homeless Will and say God can’t use him.

We should not look at that politician, or lawyer, and say God can’t use them. (Well, maybe that’s taking it a little too far😊. Just kidding.).

We must not look in the mirror and think God can’t use me.

20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.

Since it was such a short walk across the courtyard from Antonia Fortress to the hall where the council met, they’d probably just send Paul with a guard or two.

An perfect place for an ambush.

21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”

Typically, the request would be granted.

However, this time, the invisible hand of Providence was present.

22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

To his credit, the commander took the young man serious.

23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; 24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

The invisible hand of God uses natural means to carry out His plan.

That’s 470 soldiers, to guard one man.

They left under cover of darkness, the third hour, that’s nine o’clock at night.

Multiple mounts to set Paul on, meaning multiple horses to travel quickly and continuously.

That would seem to be a bit of overkill.

Unless you know that forty men have taken an oath to kill your cargo, and you’re compelled by the invisible hand of Providence. 

Caesarea is 65 miles NW of Jerusalem. A beautiful seaside paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean. No wonder it was the seat of the Roman government in Judea. It’s where the governor lived. Except during Jewish festivals, then he stayed in Jerusalem, just in case he needed to quell an uprising.

Felix is one of the three procurators or governors mentioned in the New Testament. Pontius Pilate, then, Antonias Felix, then, Porcius Festus.

25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:

                                               26 Claudius Lysias,    

Back then, the writer’s name was at the top of the letter.

Claudius Lysias is the person writing the letter. The commander in Jerusalem.

Claudius is his Roman name. He purchased his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28). So, it’s likely he took this Roman name in honor of emperor Claudius, for allowing him to buy his citizenship.

Lysias, his second name is Greek indicating he’s of Greek nationality.

Claudius Lysias.  

To the most excellent governor Felix:

Greetings.

27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

He left out the part where he had Paul bound and almost scourged.

How convenient.

28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.

The council, or the Sanhedrin (Jewish supreme court of sorts).

29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.

Farewell.

That was the letter. Short and to the point.

31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

Antipatris, is the midway point. A natural stopping point, built on a little ridge between Jerusalem and Caesarea. There was an Inn for travelers and a military outpost.

32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.

So it appears the 400 soldiers returned to the barracks and the seventy horsemen rode on with Paul.

33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

The invisible, patient, hand of Providence.

Herod’s Praetorium is his palace.

Now, it may seem like Paul was sidelined, rotting away as a prisoner.

However, the invisible hand of Providence is fulfilling Paul’s Divine Eternal Purpose as prophesied by the Lord to Ananias at the very beginning of Paul’s conversion, way back in Acts 9:15.

But the Lord said to him, (Ananias) “Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

While in Caesarea, Paul will stand trial, before Roman governors Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa.

He will spend little time defending himself, and much time witnessing about his faith in Christ and hope of resurrection. 

I’m sure there are folks in heaven today, that wouldn’t be if the invisible hand of Providence hadn’t led Paul to do a prison stint in Caesarea.

During his life Paul, was always on the move, traveling over 10,000 miles preaching the gospel.

He will indeed go to Rome, just as Jesus said.

But for now, he’s planted, in prison, for two long years.

It takes patience to see the invisible hand of Providence.

The hand of Providence is invisible.

It takes patience to see it.

It’s always worth the wait, for it is invincible.

Let’s pray.

Holy Lord Jesus, we ask You to open our eyes to see Your invisible hand of Providence at work all around us. When the night goes still and dark and cold, help us hold fast to You with faith and patience, unwavering, knowing Your Providence is invincible.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: The Invisible, Patient, Hand of Providence, Acts 23:12-35

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

To Know Him, Acts 22:24-23:11

 

Have you ever heard the phrase; no good deed goes unpunished? It’s probably akin to the Scripture, “All who live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.

It’s probably how Paul was feeling about now.

He was in the middle of doing a favor, a good deed for the Christian Jews, but then the religious Jews stirred up the mob and they attacked him.

The mob would’ve beat Paul to death if the Romans hadn’t rescued him.

When Paul tried to speak to the mob, they flew into a frenzy.

Acts 22:24
the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.

That they may know Him

Picture the scene.

Paul was the one beaten. Paul was the one arrested. Paul, still bleeding from the beating, is the one about to get whipped in a Roman interrogation.

Why?

Sadly, because the mob has influence.

It shouldn’t be this way, but the spoiled child screams and cries and throws a fit, because it works.

The mob shouts and protests and riots, because it works.

The peacemakers appease the child, cave in to the mob, just to regain some peace and order and figure out what happened.

In the process, many times, the innocent pay, and the mob goes free.

However, there’s more here to the story than what meets the eye.

Tune out the chaos and confusion and noise of the crowd and we can hear the heartbeat of someone searching.

Twice the heart of the commander is revealed. Verse 24: “That he may know why they shouted so against him.” Then again in verse 30: “He wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews.”

On the outside he was just doing his job, but on the inside was he wondering what was so different about this man, that made the mob so mad?

Perhaps he pondered about another Man that not so long ago in that same town had the same effect on the mob. Did he hear the disciples speak of how that Man died and rose again?

Maybe he marveled at how they faced death with courage and conviction rarely seen in the bravest of soldiers.

Did he long to know Someone as, intimately, intensely, as they knew the Man they called Jesus?

Did he want to believe in something as strongly they as they believed in this thing they called Eternal Life? 

Jesus prays it like this:

John 17:3.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Lord, through the noise and confusion and chaos of the crowd, help us to see those who are searching, flow through us to them, so that they may know You and receive You and have Eternal Life with You.  

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

That I may know Him

Verse ²⁵ Bound with thongs? No, not weirdo underwear.

Leather straps, bound him to a whipping post in preparation for scourging.

Of course, Paul knew it was not legal to bind or punish a Roman citizen without allowing the opportunity to state his case, to defend himself.

The punishment intended for the accused could fall upon the accuser if they violated this law.

Paul was born in the Roman empire, in the city of Tarsus; thus, he knew he was automatically a Roman citizen. More prestigious than purchasing citizenship, as the commander had done.

Paul knew who he was, a Jew by blood, a Roman citizen by birth.

He knew this citizenship gave him rights.

So, he played the Roman citizen card.

There’s no shame in that. Why take a beating, if you don’t need to?

Besides he already had one that day.

Paul knew who he was on earth by birth, but most importantly, he knew who he was by being born again, as a citizen of heaven, a child of the King of all the earth.

The other day as I was leaving Church someone outside asked, “You’re not one of those born again people, are you?”

It was an awesome open door to explain from Genesis to Jesus what being born again, really means. And then, because I know Him, I was happy to say, yes, I am born again.

Paul knows Him, that’s why he wrote:  

Philippians 3:8-11.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

To follow Christ, is to walk in Love. To walk in Love does NOT mean you are to be walked on as a doormat.

You turn the other cheek, yes.

Take the lowest seat, no problem.

Be servant of all, gladly.  

You know doing such things is not lowly or demeaning but honoring and pleasing to your Lord.

 You have nothing to prove to the world, and the world has nothing to offer you.

2 Timothy 1:12
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hosea 6:3
3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. (Berean Standard Bible).

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

This reminds me of a movie where a man was being arrested, until he pulled back his shirt and revealed the medal of honor hanging around his neck.

The soldiers suddenly released him, stepped back and saluted him.

Knowing Paul was a Roman citizen caused them to step back.

How much more valuable is the honor of knowing our great God?

Peter puts it like this:

1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

The commander, wanting to know for certain why Paul was accused, brought him before the religious leaders.

The mindless mob might’ve hated Paul for no good reason, they’re just looking for a reason to riot.

But surely the more refined, educated, levelheaded officers of religion would see through the foolishness of the mob and settle the matter in a peaceful manner.

Right?

Acts 23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

That all may know Him

Chapter 23 opens with Paul extending an olive branch.

“Men and brethren,” he calls the very ones who stirred up the mob against him.

But Paul’s olive branch is met with a punch in the mouth in verse 2. (Maybe Paul invented that phrase, “no good deed goes unpunished.”)

Paul also said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

Do you, or have you ever felt guilty? Dirty? Spotted? Unclean?

Acts 23:1 reveals that all may know Him. All can be cleansed from the past. All can be free of guilt, spot or wrinkle.

How does this verse say that?

Because Paul says, “I have lived in all good conscience.” Paul, the once genocidal terrorist against Christians. The guy who intensely pursued, chased, hunted Christians to the death. (See last week’s lesson: Diókó.)

If Paul can have his conscience cleansed. If he can know Him. So can I. So can you. So can all.   

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

Speak the Truth in love, even if it's a rebuke, “You white washed wall”.

But the Word of God trumps all. “I did not know he was the high priest, brethren; for it is written ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people’

Note: Paul did not apologize. He simply stated the fact that he did not know Ananias was the high priest, and so he spoke.

He accepted his wrong but stood by the Truth of his words.

Unafraid and unashamed to speak Truth to power.

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

Sadducees don’t believe in afterlife, no heaven, no angels, this is all you get.

That’s why Sadducees are so sad you see. 😊

Paul must’ve been tired of fighting, so he throws a bone he knows the Pharisees and Sadducees will fight over. The resurrection of the dead.

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

Now Paul has some allies.

Now it’s nice to watch a fight rather than being on the receiving end of one.

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

God is not the Author of confusion, or division. However, He has used it in the past. He is Sovereign. 2 Chron. 20:22. As soon as they began singing, the LORD confused the enemy camp.

This didn’t take an act of God. Paul just knew how to trigger them by bringing up a subject they always fought over.

As Paul expected, a great division broke out.

The sad part is, those are the people who profess Godliness, who profess to know the LORD, and the Word. They should be united in peace and faith.

And yet, the Romans are the ones to bring peace, the secular law steps in to keep the peace amongst those who ought to be peacemakers.

Oh Lord God, we Your Church have fallen so far, we’ve fought amongst ourselves enabling secular Godless governments to rise and rule the world. Forgive us. Have mercy on us. Revive US again, to be Your glorious Church without spot or wrinkle.

So that all may know You.

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

That all may know Him.

Through this tangled web, Jesus steps in and weaves a golden thread, His Divine Plan, His wonderful ways, into the wicked ways of man.

So that all may know Him.

This is to help complete His Divine Plan stated in Acts 1:8.

Acts 1:8
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

From Rome, the Holy Spirit, used Paul to pen books that preached the gospel to the ends of the earth, and will do so until the end of this age.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, we want to know You, to love You, so intensely, that Your love shines through us to all those around us, so all those You’ve given us, know You too.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Thank you for sharing.