To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

TWENTY-FOUR

"Brethren, I've lived in all good conscience before God until this day," Paul began, seconds before the sharp slap brought the taste of steely blood inside his mouth. "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall, you sit to judge me after the law, and yet you command me to be hit contrary to the law?"

"You dare revile God's high priest?" Jacob snarled.

"I didn't realize he was the high priest," Paul admitted, "For I know the Word says we should not speak evil of the ruler of the people. Brethren, I'm a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, I'm called here to be judged of the resurrection of the dead!"

And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided, for the Sadducees say there's no resurrection, but the Pharisees believe.

"We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God."

"Lord, I've done nothing worthy of this treatment", Paul prayed as the Lord drew near, "but I count it all joy to honor you, whether in life or death."

"Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

And when it was day, forty Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, telling the chief priests and elders that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. "Tell the council to bring Paul down tomorrow, as if you'd listen to him testify again, and when he approaches, we're ready to kill him. "

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, "This young man has something to speak of to the chief captain, bring him to him."

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, "Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and pleaded with me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you."

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, "What is that thou hast to tell me?"

Tzion related the ordeal that the Jews had conspired to kill Paul, "...and now they're waiting for you to agree!"

"Be sure no one finds out you told me this," he quickly turned and called two centurions, "Hurry, make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, horsemen, and spearmen both at the third hour of the night. Bring beats for Paul to ride on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. Quick, bring me a paper, that I might write!"

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

The governor read the letter and looked up at the man before him, "What province are you from?"

"Cilicia."

"I will hear you when your accusers have also come."

And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

"I'm sure you know, that I was one of them," he admitted, "And I have no shame in saying so, especially now that the scales have fallen off my eyes. I want nothing to do with them now. I hand all I have together, over, willingly. Salvation is only of the Jews."

"It won't be pleasant. Will you stay strong?"

"Of course! I simply want nothing to do with the dirty work myself."

"And of the children?"

"Leave them be. They are yet young enough to recant."