David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 23:23-35

Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” And he wrote a letter to this effect:
“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, about these verses, simply:

God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers, and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in God’s hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him.

Others point out that Felix could have sent Paul to the governor of Syria, but that Felix wanted to deal with this issue that seemed to him to be simple: quick and easy and on to other things. All this, however, sets the stage for two important things to come. First Paul will share his testimony of how he was converted, seeking to persuade Felix to come to faith in Christ. Second, Paul will appeal to Caesar and be sent to Rome. In this process, however, Paul will speak before Festus, Agrippa, Bernice, and many other important Roman officials and Jewish leaders. He will use every opportunity to share the gospel with these people.

Sometimes we may get bogged down in the twists and turns of life. Seldom is the line from one chapter of life to another simple and straight. We might think that those twists are little more than irritants and unproductive doldrums, or even worse as setbacks. If, however, we are following Christ, we can be certain that God is at work at such times just as much as he is when our prayers are being answered and the path forward is clear and straight.

We can also rejoice that God is at work not only through those who follow him, but also through those who simply do the right thing outwardly. The law enforcement person who justly follows the law – be he pagan, Christian, or Muslim, is doing the work of God outwardly. Even the cruel boss or vindictive co-worker may be a tool of God insofar as he or she does what is right – even with a bad attitude.

The greater joy is that God is at work in all these things ultimately to seek and save the lost. We may have the privilege of being part of his work in the lives of others directly sharing the Good News of Jesus. That is a singular joy. But we are no less doing the work of God when we do our duty, obey the law, protect the innocent, and serve for the good order of all. That might be a good thing to keep in mind today as you end your week and plan your weekend.