To Caesar You Will Go!

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

May 4, 2021

To Caesar You Will Go!

After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Acts 25:12

Acts 25:1-12  

Eventually, Paul will get to Rome. While there, he writes what are known as his prison letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians, he uses this most compelling phrase:

 

“All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4:22)

I thought about that verse as I read today’s passage. The Jews in Jerusalem were so tenacious. Even after over two years, in their very first meeting with the new Roman Governor, they tried to implement a conspiracy to have Paul murdered. They thought they were defending their faith, but in so doing they thought nothing of violating the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) Even so, God was in control. God used Festus to get Paul to Rome where Paul’s message of new life in Christ would reach even to Caesar’s household.

My Takeaway: I noted yesterday that Paul’s time in Caesarea was not wasted. God was at work. Recently, I have received news from many churches across our country that have grown and prospered for the Kingdom of God through the pandemic. A pastor friend in Illinois baptized sixty-two persons the Sunday after Easter. A church we visited recently while in Virginia was at near capacity for worship and starting their second new member class. “Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.