Chapter 25

This chapter is a rich one in politics. I find it a really interesting read, with a lot of interest and suspense.

Curiously, then, I find it hard to write about.

This isn’t because of any deep mysteries; simply because the chapter is mostly a matter of narrative; and what it is narrating is mostly stuff we’ve seen before (namely the to-ing and fro-ing of Paul and the legal eagles of the Jews).

There is, however, one rather important incident that deserves some attention.

Paul’s appeal to Caesar, in verse 11.

This is rather a desperate gambit. Paul is facing off against Jews, people whose beliefs he knows backwards. He’s in the local court, and his connections with the Sanhedrin (or ruling council) would have been quite usefull.

It says a lot that even with all these things Paul STILL chose to go to Rome, and argue his case before the Emperor.

It’s a gamble, and a dangerous one. Paul has no idea as to whether Caesar likes Christians or not, or whether he sees Paul’s position as tenable or not.

At times Rome has already seen persecution of Christians. What is Paul’s game here?

I hate to break it to you, but I suspect Paul was a little crazy about his mission.

Okay, maybe a LOT crazy. But still . . .

He wanted to go to Rome for missionary work. He believed that God was calling him to go there. He saw this as a way he could do it.

I wonder how many of us would be willing to risk like Paul did here? Would we see this as an opportunity to go the place we were desperate to go? Are we as bold as him?

I think not.

So the challenge for today is to think of situations in which boldness is required during this week, and then GO for it.

Let’s start with one just to whet your appetite. How many people have you shared the Gospel with this week?