Then [the tribune] 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. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 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. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 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.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
We’re enjoying some travel in Glacier National Park and our accommodations are completely adequate, but not modern. To be honest the two we’ve been at are a bit long in the tooth. Tonight’s room is on the ground level and we look out onto the employee entrance to the large. The lodge itself is impressive, and the views are spectacular. So this is not a complaint by any means. But it sets up a comparison between the luxury of our lodging compared with being guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
Here’s an AI description of Herod’s praetorium:
This grand structure included administrative offices, military barracks, and living quarters for the governor and his staff. It was within this fortified complex that Paul was held under guard after being transferred from Jerusalem to protect him from plots against his life. The Praetorium was a symbol of Roman authority in the region and was a secure location for detaining high-profile prisoners like Paul.
I’m thinking it may have been much nicer than the barracks in Jerusalem, and certainly nicer than the jail in Philippi. Maybe not luxurious. But certainly adequate. Maybe no beautiful views. But safe and secure.
I strongly suspect that Paul did not care what kind of accommodations he was allowed. I think of Philippians 4:10-13: “ I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Paul was less concerned about where he was than he was aware that Christ was with him. I may need to remember that once in a while. We’ve seen some spectacular scenery on this trip. We’ll certainly see more. It makes me think of the hymn, How Great Thou Art.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, “How great Thou art. How great Thou art.”
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Those digs are available to all who open their eyes to the stars at night or the grandeur of the mountains at daybreak.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment