Reflection - Roads

By Steve Hall

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/053020.cfm
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
John 21:20-25

All roads lead to Rome.

Paul’s road to Rome began in a backwater area of the empire, somewhere around Caesare’a in Galilee. The Jews were once more upset with Paul; he was still teaching about Jesus, the Christ. They wanted to be rid of him once and for all. As with Jesus, they were determined to arrange for the empire to do the dirty work for them. The conflict went on for several years and three different Roman officials were involved. But no matter how much the Jews complained, none of the three concluded that Paul had done anything wrong, and all we’re inclined to release him — a decision to which the Jews vociferously objected. In the course of events the authorities at one point considered returning Paul to Jerusalem. Paul became apprised of the plan and was further informed that the Jew’s intention was to assassinate him along the way. As a consequence of this information, Paul exercised his privilege as a Roman citizen and ‘appealed to Caesar.’ This meant that the decision regarding his fate could not be made in the provinces, but only by the authorities in Rome.

Paul would have to go to Rome.

We hear and read of this extended incident and it exhibits many of the familiar characteristics of Paul’s tumultuous life: frequently in conflict, frequently threatened, frequently proclaimed a heretic, always announcing the good news. But it is only with knowledge of all the details recorded by Luke that can we fully appreciate the unfolding of the divine plan.

Paul may have been a bit frustrated; but his house arrest essentially allowed him to continue preaching the word. It was only when the Jews hatched a plan of assassination, and a journey to Jerusalem that would allow for it, that Paul made his appeal to Caesar.

The Jews were determined, however, to get rid of Paul, either by execution or termination, whichever offered the first opportunity.

The Roman officials were playing the political game. While ready to follow the law, they were in no particular hurry about it. After all, there might be something in it for them. At least two of these officials were hoping Paul would attempt to purchase his freedom by using a portion of the funds he had brought to alleviate the suffering of Christians in Jerusalem. Besides, there was the good will of the Jewish leadership to be considered. Why alienate them?

So the picture looked like this:

The Jewish authorities, actively pursuing an evil, were determined to eliminate Paul by hook or by crook.

The Roman authorities were wishy-washy about doing the right thing — that was, letting Paul go free — but we’re also unwilling to do the evidently wrong thing.

Paul was, with a few constraints, going about his ministry.

All of this is brought into focus when we recall the Lord’s words to Paul early on in this conflict: "Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome." (Acts 23:11)

The evil of the Jews and the ambivalence of the Romans conspired to accomplish what God desired all along: that Paul should witness in Rome. Moreover, Paul was to go at the expense of the empire. That was a divine bonus.

There are many events that have transpired in the course of my life for which I have no reasonable explanation. More than a few were shrouded with confusion and even my personal objections. But these pieces of the puzzle make quite an interesting picture when enough pieces are in place that the image is finally revealed. Age helps with that.

Through the elaborate plan of God Paul ended up in Rome.

Through an elaborate plan of God I ended up in Woodland Park. Many of the life fragments that got me here, now take on a more striking color and purpose. Sometimes I even cooperated in making them possible. Just as with Paul whose claim on privilege got him God’s will.

And Agrippa [the Governor] said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (Acts 26:32)

SUMMARY