Day 349 – Paul – Journey #4 (Jerusalem, Caesarea)

• The story of Paul’s increasingly challenging life steps up a gear again today in today’s passages which show some harsh treatment, trial and imprisonment at the hands of the Jewish leaders.
• Let’s set the scene, just so we’re all up to date. Most of Paul’s missionary journeys have now taken place. These events mark the start of his fourth (and final) journey. It’s now about 57 AD, 27 or so years since Jesus died. Paul had, by now, written his letters to the Galatians, Thessalonians (both the letters), Corinthians (again, both) and to the Romans (who he had still yet to visit).
• Today’s passages open with Paul debating with the religious leaders. What did Ananias do in verse Acts 23:2? It was illegal under Levitical law. When Paul referred to him as a “whitewashed wall”, he may well have been referring to a tomb, which were often bright white on the outside but inside, of course, were full of death and decay. What would Paul’s point have been?
• Acts 23:6-10 show disagreement between two of the different Jewish groups, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. What did they disagree about? Does this disagreement between these two groups of leaders surprise you? Is it like different Christian denominations disagreeing nowadays?
• What did Jesus say Paul would do in verse Acts 23:11?
• What was the plot of passage that follows, in verses 12-22? How was it foiled? Do you think those who took the vow ended up dying of thirst, based on the foolish oath that they took in verse 12?!
• The Romans, rightly, seemed keen to ensure that Paul was properly treated. How do we see this in the letter written at the end of Acts 23? This should encourage you. Sometimes the people who you don’t expect to help you or encourage you can!
• What were the arguments made by the religious leaders about Paul in his trial in chapter 24, and what was Paul’s cheerful response? The main issue the Jews had was that they thought Paul was stirring people up with false teaching and lies, but Paul continued to prove everything that had happened had been prophesied in the Old Testament. Paul used this argument several times. He even used this platform as a chance to preach the gospel to the Romans!
• Felix, the governor, listened to the debate with interest. How did Paul’s words make him feel (Acts 24:25)? What did Felix hope Paul would do (verse 26)?
• Don’t let Acts 24:27 pass you by. Felix, not really knowing what to do, now decided to leave Paul languishing in jail for two whole years. What sort of things have you got planned for the next two years? How do you think you might feel if your life was put on hold for all that time by being wrongfully imprisoned?

We’ll read tomorrow about how the trial continued after the two years were up.

We’ve read about Paul being in prison before, haven’t we? There was the time when he and Silas were in jail and were singing and sharing the news about Jesus with the jailer, who becomes convinced of the truth for himself. Paul, I’m sure, would have taken the chance to do the same when he was locked up this time. He would also have written some of his letters at this point, I’m sure.

I wonder if Paul struggled during these times too, though. John the Baptist, when he was imprisoned, went through a period of doubting Jesus. Difficult, protracted situations like being in jail can be a perfect place to be challenged with doubt. It’s worth bearing in mind that Paul wasn’t miraculously freed from jail this time. Sometimes God doesn’t do things in the timing we would hope for.

There is nothing to suggest in the Bible that Paul had the same questions that John had, though. Why do you think this might be?