THE KING’S BUSINESS
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ing the Gospel to the Praetorian Guard, (cf. Phil. 1:12,13). Friday, May 11 . Acts 27 : 1 - 13 . It comes out incidentally in the opening words of this account that Luke, who wrote the Acts, was himself a companion of Paul at this time, and he gives an unusually interesting description of the daily events that occurred on that moment ous journey. The story is very accurate in its details, and some have gone to the trouble of figuring out distances and other matters and seeing if the ship that bore Paul would have been at the different places at the times said, and the account bears the most rigid scrutiny, and thus incidentally its authenticity and accuracy are proven. It is evident from the whole account that Luke was an accurate observer and a careful recorder of the things observed. It also appears from the account in vs. 9 and 10 that Paul was not only a great preacher, but a man of foresight and great practical common sense. It is evi dent, too, that Paul had already gainèd a good deal of ascendency over the Guard that were taking him as a prisoner to Rome, but they were hardly willing, even yet, to take his judgment against that of those whom they had reason to believe were experienced seamen. Before they got through with their voyage they wished that they had taken Paul’s judgment. It was not by any supernatural revelation, but by the power of his own discriminating judgment that Paul reached the conclusion that it was dangerous for them to continue on the journey. There were good reasons for not following Paul’s advice, but there were more and better reasons for following Paul’s advice. They made a great mistake in not doing it, but God made the mistake to turn out for good to Paul and to us too; for some of the most precious lessons in the Acts of the Apostles arise from the circumstances that came out of the mistake made at this time.
that Agrippa said this in sarcasm. Possi- sibly so, but like many another, the attempted jest revealed the real state of his heart. Agrippa was deeply moved; he saw the cost of further consideration of the claims of Christ; he was unwilling to pay that cost; so he tried to put his convic tions aside, first by a jest, then by turning to other things with forced composure (vs. 30-32). Thus Agrippa lost his soul. And Agrippa was within one step of eter nal life. Paul took Agrippa’s words seriously; he was wise in so doing. He said: “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether (more exactly, might become both in little and great) such as I am.” How Paul’s heart longed that Agrippa and everyone in the company might become in everything, in little things and in great things, thorough believers in and utterly surrendered servants of his Lord Jesus. But there was one thing in which he had no desire that they should be like him, that was his chains. He would have them escape the change of bondage even though they were responsible for his. What a glimpse we can get here of his loving heart. He was willing and glad for his part to suffer anything for Jesus Christ his Lord (2 Cor. 12:10), but he would spare everyone else. Paul felt in spite of his bonds that his position was higher and bet ter than that of the king to whom he The final, pathetic, noble plea of Paul failed. The king would listen no longer. Pulling himself together, he tried to appear judicial and magnanimous. He spoke a feeble word for Paul, but put aside Paul’s Lord and perished. It is not patronizing a preacher, but accepting the Saviour whom the preacher presents that saves. “This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar;” yes he might, but if he had been set at liberty he never would have reached Rome, and never would h^ve had an opportunity of preach spoke. And it was. Thursday, May io. Acts 26 : 30 - 32 .
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