“But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.’ 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.’
The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, ‘What is it you want to tell me?’
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. 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.’
The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: ‘Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.’
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. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.’ “
Acts 23:16-24
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JUNE 10, 2025
The Bible is a fascinating book that is much more a library than a book. One day we might be reading ancient laws for livestock sales, the next a devastating funeral poem. One day a transcendent theological sermon, the next a boring account of ancient kings.
In our passage for this week, we have fast-moving action—maybe not as compelling as one of Jesus’ parables, but far easier to read than ancient laws about hygiene. But what does it mean for us? Few of us are the center of an assignation plot, or command thousands of soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen.
But many of us have family, like Paul’s nephew. And it’s this detail that stands out to me.
Did you know that Paul had a nephew? Had you even considered that he had a sister? Paul looms large in our minds, a faith-hero somehow detached from the daily life of kin-keeping. We’ve read (just a few of) his letters to the churches, heard him preach and give his testimony. But we haven’t read his letters to his family back home, haven’t watched him carry nieces and nephews on his shoulders during family holidays, or considered how their relationships changed as his own views and life changed.
But there’s something gripping in the fact that Paul, who has 40 men under sacred oath to fast until he’s dead, also has nephews. Nephews willing to stick their noses and necks into this dangerous mess to defend him.
The takeaway that strikes me is that Jesus was right, as always. Actually following Him is not a path to success and ease, but often trouble and suffering. Trouble for our future, suffering for our families. But also the fellowship and comfort of the Spirit, and the love of Christ and of the Body of Christ.
Paul does not seem to feel he chose wrong, even now.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- Do you realize how much danger the early Christians chose for themselves, including for their families and friends?
- In what ways will truly following Jesus’ path of compassion and justice cause conflict and danger for your life, too?
- What did Paul find in Jesus that was worth all this?
Church Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 15; Psalm 102