Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the Tribune, “May I say something to you?” The tribune replied, “Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?” Acts 21:37-38

There was such a great commotion in Jerusalem that the Tribune came out of the castle of Antonia quickly, and when they saw the Tribune they quit beating Paul. The Tribune comes near to Paul, looks at him, then has him bound in arresting chains. It is Paul in custody which saves Paul’s life and gives opportunity to preach the Gospel safely in spite of the uproar of the multitudes in Jerusalem. His sermon is next, Acts 22.

My friend, I have a difficult time saying that Paul’s imprisonment was a blessing only because he had to suffer another extremely violent beating in order to be rescued by the Triune. Once again invisibly view a marvelous Miracle of Christ’s healing of Paul from physical and emotional trauma as Paul is set back in his right mind.

Paul has been arrested and takes quick Spirit led opportunity. Paul asks Tribune a question in Greek, then old Tribune Lyasis (or Colonel) discovers that Paul is not the arrested person who they thought he was– they first thought Paul was an Egyptian who called himself a prophet, who brought hundreds of people through the wilderness to Mount Olivet then led fight against Felix’s forces out of Jerusalem and lost. The Egyptian made escape while his woeful followers were either taken or slain.

Then Paul replies to Tribune, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.”  When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language. Acts 21: 39-40

Tribune answers Paul’s request with a yes! We see again how Holy Spirit is working all this out for Paul to live through the worst, to speak and witness for Christ Resurrected, and Paul is in Christ’s safety. We look together at Paul’s deep trust in Christ for everything in life!! Such a beautiful trust in Christ.

May our trust in Christ be likewise. May we have so much trust in Christ and listen so well to Holy Spirit speaking to us that we are sure whatever occurs in our lives is within His purpose and direction for each of us to talk about Christ in small forums and in large. Glory to God for our trust in Christ!