Acts 23: 11

Whenever I read scripture, I find myself often asking “Why?”  The question is easier to ask than it is to answer.  However, just because it is not easy to discover the answer does not mean we should not ask the question.  God is not a tyrant; He does not want His children to live in fear.  He wants us to have the courage to ask questions; He knows that questions lead to answers and answers lead to understanding.

When I read verse 11, I had several questions.  Why did the Lord appear to Paul?  Did Paul need reassurance?  Why did Paul share this event with Luke, and why did Luke record it in Acts?  Paul was already planning to visit Rome, so how did this change anything?  Did the Lord’s appearance change Paul’s attitude or behavior?  Paul was not in control of the events that were happening around him; did the Lord’s appearance mean God was controlling the events, or that God was using the events?

After thinking and reasoning, I am sharing some of my conclusions.  You will have to determine for yourself if they are correct.

In the midst of the hardest trial, God wanted Paul to know he was not alone.  He appeared to Paul, because Paul needed encouragement.  Paul was brave, but even the brave can be overwhelmed.  I do not believe Paul was in danger of surrendering to fear, but I do believe he needed extra courage to continue the offensive.  God does not give Christians the option of being passive and silent.  God wanted Paul to know his mission remained the same, only the location was going to change.  Paul’s mission was to testify to the gospel.  The enemy was active, but so was God.

Paul shared this with Luke to encourage the church.  Luke included it in the book of Acts because some truths are universal.  When we experience testing and trials, what was true for Paul, is true for us.  God is with us and he is working.