Luke 13:34-14:6 | Acts 23:11-35 | Gospels during Lent: John 5-6
It’s an interesting match-up to read Jesus’ words regarding Jerusalem’s tendency to kill prophets and then Paul’s experience there in Acts 22-23. These latter stories in Acts can be pretty unknown to many. Did you know Paul had a sister and that his nephew pretty much saved his life?
Jesus asks another worthy question of sabbath Law. No one answered him. So he answered by action, healing a man. It is not wrong to focus on Jesus upending over- and misinterpretation of the Law. But don’t miss the healing. The main point isn’t to rightly place the Law, but that people are given liberation.
Luke 13:34-14:6
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. Look, your house is abandoned. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely. A man suffering from an abnormal swelling of the body was there. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Does the Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?” But they said nothing. Jesus took hold of the sick man, cured him, and then let him go. He said to them, “Suppose your child or ox fell into a ditch on the Sabbath day. Wouldn’t you immediately pull it out?” But they had no response.
Acts 23:11-35
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be encouraged! Just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so too you must testify in Rome.”
The next morning some Jewish leaders formulated a plot and solemnly promised that they wouldn’t eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty people were involved in the conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have solemnly promised to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. You and the council must explain to the commander that you need Paul brought down to you. Pretend that you want to examine his case more closely. We’re prepared to kill him before he arrives.”
Paul’s sister had a son who heard about the ambush and he came to the military headquarters and reported it to Paul. Paul called for one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander because he has something to report to him.”
He took him to the commander and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
The commander took him by the hand and withdrew to a place where they could speak privately. He asked, “What do you have to report to me?”
He replied, “The Jewish leaders have conspired to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow. They will pretend that they want to investigate his case more closely. Don’t fall for it! More than forty of them are waiting to ambush him. They have solemnly promised not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, awaiting your consent.”
The commander dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Don’t tell anyone that you brought this to my attention.”
The commander called two centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Have horses ready for Paul to ride, so they may take him safely to Governor Felix.” He wrote the following letter:
Claudius Lysias, to the most honorable Governor Felix: Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was almost killed by them. I was nearby with a unit of soldiers, and I rescued him when I discovered that he was a Roman citizen. I wanted to find out why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their council. I discovered that they were accusing him about questions related to their Law. I found no charge deserving of death or imprisonment. When I was informed of a conspiracy against his life, I sent him to you at once and ordered his accusers to bring their case against him before you.
Following their orders, the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris. The following day they let the horsemen continue on with Paul while they returned to the military headquarters in Jerusalem. The horsemen entered Caesarea, delivered the letter to the governor, and brought Paul before him. After he read the letter, he asked Paul about his home province. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, the governor said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept in custody in Herod’s palace.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for this new day. Thank you for the rain falling where I am. Ima go ahead and accept that rain on behalf of new green grass, flowers, and tree growth coming in a few weeks. May it be so!
It’s Friday. It’s generally a welcomed day in our society, one that begins a couple of weekend days off. My mind is already on Sunday, God. Speak to your gathered people. In the mean time, give them rest, indeed.
But don’t let me miss this day and the things in front of me. Children, rain, dogs, food, learning, love, and doing nothing at all. May you be in it all.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.