Trial in Caesarea
Day 526, Monday, Jan. 19
Acts 23:23 – 24:27
It seems like we’re going through a long series of very similar trials—which we are—but compared to our modern court system in which appeals can drag of for years, it’s pretty efficient. While many Jews of his day would have considered Rome to be the enemy, Paul seems willing to place his trust in the Roman judicial system.
Beginning in 24:14 we get some insight into how Paul himself views what we now call Christianity: “However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”
Paul does not consider Christianity to be a new religion and doesn’t even seem to think it is a new sect within Judaism. Instead, he considers it to be a continuation of the Jewish faith.
Paul is imprisoned but is well treated. It’s interesting that the author, when summarizing Paul’s conversations with Felix about Christianity, says, “Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.”

Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Psalms 67:1-7
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Prayer focus
May we, like Paul, live in such a way as to keep our conscience clear before God and people.