Luckily for Paul, his nephew hears about this plan and informs
Paul. Paul sends his nephew to the commander. The commander believes the story
and decides to move Paul. So he send Paul, heavily guarded, in the dark of
night to Caesarea. The commander also sends a letter to Governor Felix
explaining the situation. Felix agrees to hear Paul’s case once his accusers
arrive. Until the case can be brought before him, Felix orders Paul to be kept
under guard at Herod’s palace.
I’m amazed that forty men, presumably faithful Jews, would plan
premeditated murder. That is what it is, today I think they would be charged
with conspiracy to commit murder and if they succeeded, first degree murder
with the possibility of the death penalty. This was no small plan. They wanted
to kill Paul, and even took an oath to not eat or drink until they had.
I wonder how they justified themselves. How did the members of
the Sanhedrin justify joining in on the conspiracy? Their role was to make it
possible for others to commit murder, under today’s law they would be charged
as if they had committed the murder themselves. They would not have seen the blood,
but they would had a crucial part in Paul’s death.
I have not knowingly led to the death of another person, but how
have I been part of a conspiracy to kill God’s love and grace? I’d like to
think that I have never been a part of the death of God’s love and grace, but
I’m sure I have. Maybe I “killed” a piece of a person with unkind words or by
ignoring him/her. Maybe I conspired to not let someone be a part of something,
which killed God’s love in me.
Lord God of all hope and love, please forgive me! I have sinned
against you and my neighbor by killing your love in me and others. Please help
me to see Christ in everyone I meet and help me to bring Your love to all those
I encounter. Amen.
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