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Week Twenty, Day One

Acts 27

And so we come to the last of Luke's stories. It is one of my favorites, at least in Acts. Luke is a great storyteller. Were he not a Biblical writer, he would have gained renown similar to Homer, Dante or Shakespeare. His stories, including the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, have shaped Western culture and defined Christianity.

This last story isn't nearly as well known, but it has almost as many lessons within it. Although it appears in the lectionary, and I have preached from this passage many times, it is a challenge because the story is so long and is woven so tightly together. Like the other passages in Acts that are written in the first person, the details almost overwhelm us. Before we unpack them, let me summarize the story and the setting.

Upon returning to Jerusalem, the elders ask Paul to undergo the rite of ritual purification because rumors have accused him of betraying his heritage and teaching Jewish believers that they need not keep the law. (This dynamic will be important as we examine the writings of Paul in the weeks ahead.) As he was doing this, a mob in the temple attacks him, and he has to be rescued by the Roman authorities. They arrest him and hold him for more than two years. He faces trial before both Roman and Jewish rulers. At one point, they threaten to flog him to determine the truth. To avoid this government-sanctioned torture, Paul asserts his right as a Roman citizen and insists that he be allowed to appeal his case to Caesar.

When he is questioned by King Agrippa, he says to the Roman governor Festus that Paul was clearly innocent of any crime and could be released, except for the fact that he has appealed to the emperor. As a result, they have no choice but to send him on his way to Rome. This final story in Acts is the account of Paul's last missionary journey.

As they set off for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners are placed in the custody of a Roman Centurion named Julius. Since Paul was clearly innocent, Julius treats him kindly. Luke and another friend named Aristarchus were allowed to accompany Paul. This was risky because, though Paul is innocent, the outcome is anything but certain. It is a remarkable thing to have friends accompany you when you are under accusation and your reputation has been maligned. If you have people like that in your life, then, like Paul, you are most blessed. Pause and think of who those people are in your life and give thanks for them. Now, pause and think of who might count you as that kind of friend. Which list is longer?

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice

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