Then the commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?” “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than 40 of them arranging to ambush him, men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they kill him. Now they are ready, waiting for a commitment from you.” So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.” Acts 23:19-22 (HCSB) Paul’s nephew told him the plot and warned not be persuaded by their personal request to bring Paul to them. As more than 40 men who put themselves under a curse were prepared awaiting the promise of the tribune. The tribune then let the boy return home after he promised not to tell anyone that he had reported these things to him. It is quite likely that Paul’s nephew was a part of a leading family in the community. Those who were planning his demise may not have considered the young man as someone who cared for Paul. It was probably very easy for those doing the plotting to overlook a young boy as he may have been at such an age as they gave no thought to what he could do. However this young man played an important part in protecting Paul’s life. God can use anyone, of any age, who is willing to yield to Him. Jesus made this very clear that children are important in Matthew 18:2-6: “Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in My name welcomes Me. “But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!” We are to give children the importance that God gives them.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:48:30 +0000
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