Missions Paul

Horses

Acts 23: 24 “Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

Paul was protected by the strength of the soldiers and of the horses. Maybe these were like a bullet-proof vehicle today! It epitomised the strength of protection around Paul.

The Old Testament has over 100 references to the strength of horses, mainly referring to the power of the enemy as it attacks God’s people. God often laughs and scorns such prowess, no matter how many horses there are. His kings would collate their own regiment of horses, David and Solomon in particular.

At some point in this Christmas season we will start to hear the song, ‘Little Donkey, carry Mary’ as she and Joseph went to Bethlehem and there Jesus was born. Most live-manger scenes have a donkey. Though pretty there isn’t obviously a donkey mentioned in the gospel account. But it would make sense as a means of travel. We like to stress the humbleness of the story and the donkey does the job for us.

Of course Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem and again we have the humility of Jesus.

But make no mistake … God has horses!

In an amazing encounter between Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6: 17-18 we have this said:  ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.

John in his revelation and the ending of the Bible gives us a picture that Jesus is not riding in humility, he is not on a donkey…

 ^“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Revelation 11: 11-14

Paul had the Commanders horses.

But he like us served a higher Commander who rides the white horse! He is not only meek and mild, He is high and powerful. He is big!

 

He is big!

Acts 23:23 “Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.”

Now let us just remind ourselves of the threat.

There were 40 Jews ready to ambush Paul and kill him.

The Commander ordered 470 Roman soldiers to take Paul to Caesarea.

That is a large amount compared to the 40. The Commander was bigger than the threat, his resources were bigger and more frightening than their plans and he flexed his muscle.

We have a big Commander.

To those today who are facing difficulties, no matter how big they are … you have a bigger God

You may be facing an army of problems but God has a bigger army!

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53

If only you could see who God has set around your life and who is working for you!

The lowly Shepherds realised how big God was:  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ Luke 2:13-14.

Don;t let people be fooled by the size of the baby in the manger. Jesus is really big!

 

Sometimes it is wise to keep things hidden

Acts 23:22 “The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: ‘Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.’”

Not every healing should be shouted from the rooftops: ‘Don’t tell anyone…’ Matthew 8:4

Some divine encounters need to be kept hidden until later: ‘Don’t tell anyone…’ Matthew 17:9

The commander didn’t want his own plan to be discovered by the Jews: “Don’t tell anyone…”

It is not just the enemy who has a hidden agenda, we also can have one.

The bigger picture is important. Make sure you can see it. It is not just about now, but it is what you do now that will affect the future.

It is important to protect the present so that there is a tomorrow.

The story of Christmas is God hiding in the smallness, insignificance, a hidden agenda.

Let us copy Him more. .

 

Say NO

Acts 23: 21 “Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.’”

Don’t give in to the ambush.

Don’t let people use you for their evil gain.

Don’t agree to any hidden agenda.

Resist.

Stand your ground.

Say No.

Disagree.

Refuse.

You can give a negative response.

Maybe today someone just needs to not go with the flow and saying Yes is not the wisest thing to say.

 

Hidden agendas

Acts 23: 20 “He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.”

Paul’s nephew now has the chance to tell the Commander the truth of what he has heard.

“You are going to be asked to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin for further questioning.”

But it is a pretext.

We often find ourselves not knowing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Recently I was invited to someone’s home. At first I thought this was a lovely invitation even though the programme didn’t allow for such a social meeting i felt honoured that the hosts were going out of their way to make sure I visited their home. Within 5 minutes of being there I realised that the reason for being in their home was to visit a project which operates there. I had been stitched up!

It is nearly impossible to see a pretext as they can be covered over so well. But whenever a pretext is used then it generally isn’t wise to pursue further.

Keep the agenda on the table.

 

 

A hand held

Acts 23:19 “The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, ‘What is it you want to tell me?’”

Just a small gesture.

That’s all it was.

This small touch brought the comfort from the nervous situation.

This small touch brought confidence to be free to speak.

This small touch brought a connection of fondness for the young man.

Comfort, confidence and connections are needed today.

It doesn’t take much.

Just a small gesture.

 

 

Trusted

Acts 23:18  “So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, ‘Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

Paul’s nephew had come to tell him about the plot to assassinate him. Then Paul calls one of the centurions to take him to the commander with the report without telling the centurion what the report is.

The centurion does just that.

I have a lot of admiration for that centurion.

He didn’t quiz the boy along the way, “What do you want to tell the Commander?” “What do you know about Paul?” He just did what he was asked to do.

He did not try and weave out of the young man. He didn’t manipulate a conversation so he could have the latest gossip. He kept himself to himself. He didn’t meddle into other people’s lives. He carried out the request of Paul to the letter.

This centurion could be trusted. May we all be like this man.

 

Use less words

Acts 23:17 “Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

He didn’t announce the young man was his nephew. If he had done then maybe the young man would have just been kicked out of the barracks for causing more trouble.

Neither did he tell the centurion the information of the plot that his nephew had brought. Paul cut out the middle man as much as possible.

Wisdom is being careful with what you say and who you say it to.

Paul’s nephew

Acts 23: 16 “But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.”

Suddenly we have a small but interesting detail of Paul’s personal life. He has a sister. He has a nephew. They have been kept informed of what has been happening to Paul. When the family heard of the danger to Paul they couldn’t sit around and not do anything, they had to intervene. That’s what families do.

They listen out to all that people say.

They can decipher a plot from an opinion.

Without hesitation they will forewarn.

They are prepared to go into the deep end

Thank God for your family today and make sure you behave like Paul’s nephew.

Pretext

Acts 13:15 “Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.’

The pretext = a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.

It happens all the time.

‘God has told me’ is often used to get our own way.

These kind of pretexts are displayed before all. The truth is hidden even from ourselves. We convince ourselves and then convince others.

The truth of wanting to take a course of action or of simple opinion and maybe even of revenge is hidden behind the pretext of the Almighty. Is that not taking his name in vain?

‘I’d like to talk to you about …’ may not mean that is the reason for the meeting.

Not every enquiry into your situation is genuine. Just ask Paul!