What would make a person, who was in very serious trouble because of someone else, want to speak well of that person? See if you would have done what Paul did, if you had been in his place.
The Apostle Paul’s long and difficult journey to Rome was over. There, he was put under house arrest “with a soldier to guard him.” (verse 16.)
“Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people …" (verses 17-19.)
God had promised to send a great Messiah to the Jewish people to save and keep them. (Isaiah 9:7. 53:1-12.) When the right time came God sent His very own Son (Galatians 4:4-5. Luke 20:9-19.), born of a virgin mother as promised (Isaiah 7:14. Matthew 1:22-23.). But the Jews did not want to have Him as their Saviour. (John 1:10-12.)
At first, Paul had also refused to believe in Jesus, but later he had come to trust in Him as his Saviour and Lord. (Titus 3:3-8.) Now Paul was eager to preach about the Christ to all men (Acts 26:19-23.), but was being imprisoned for Christ’s sake by those to whom God had sent the Messiah! “It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain,” he told them. (verse 20.) Those Jewish leaders said, “We want to hear what your views are for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” (verse 22.)
“From morning till evening Paul explained and declared to them the Kingdom of God, and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” (verse 23. Acts 10:42-43. 13:36-39.)
I, too, love to tell others the message of Jesus as found in the Holy Bible, even though, for Christ’s sake, I have often been abused. No abuse I suffer could be compared to the suffering AND DEATH that Jesus Christ willingly endured FOR MY SAKE, and for YOU. (1stPeter 3:18. 2ndCorinthians 5:17-21.) And, being persecuted for Christ’s sake is NOTHING compared to the glorious Heavenly home and rewards He has prepared for those who love and serve Him in this life. (1stPeter 4:12-19. Romans 8:18. 2ndTimothy 4:5-8.)
Has the fact that Christ suffered and died FOR YOUR SAKE caused YOU to love and trust Him as your only Saviour and Hope? If so, then surely you too will be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, as you live and witness for Him. (Matthew 5:10-12. 1stPeter 2:19-25.)
Read Acts chapter 28, verses 16-23.
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