Howdy Faithful ones. So glad you’ve come and made it to part 4. Enjoy!
Lord there are enemies of You and it’s so hard to understand because you are Love and Peace, but hurt people hurt people. So we ask for healing for all of us. Draw us close, Lord. Keep us faithful.
Escape!
Please read Acts 9:23-25
23 After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.
Wariness among the Faithful
Please read Acts 9:26-30
26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 However, [e]Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He was talking and arguing with the [f]Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him. 30 When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down to [g]Caesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town].
Footnotes
[e] Barnabas – Acts 9:27 This name means Son of Encouragement.
[f] Hellenists – Acts 9:29 See note 6:1.
[g] Caesarea – Acts 9:30 See note 8:40.
When they send Saul to Tarsus we take a brake from his story. Enemies yes, but grace enough to get away. And boldness and freedom to preach. What a life this man had up to this point.
Thank You, Lord for all this story of Saul who will eventually return as the beloved apostle Paul. I thank you for this story and these words and ask for the confidence among your people to tell others about You in a kind of way that Saul had confidence.