protecting a prisoner

Good morning friends,
Having heard about this threat to Paul's life the tribune responds by sending him to the governor. He sends him during the night and under heavy guard to protect him from the conspirators. This whole section is a reminder that Rome could be a friend or a threat for early Christians. The tribune isn't protecting Paul for Paul. He is protecting him because he is a Roman citizen and because he wants to look good to his superiors. Notice how he tells the story to the governor: "When I found out he was a Roman citizen I went to get him."

If we remember a couple days back that's not exactly what happened. The tribune went because he heard there was a riot and saved Paul as a byproduct of that concern for order. He didn't find out Paul was a Roman citizen until later. There are privileges that come with citizenship, but we are called to use those privileges not just for ourselves. Christians are called to advocate and stand with all people, especially the vulnerable. In these times where citizenship is such a contested topic we lift up the rights of those who are not citizens and everyone government and the powerful find easy to ignore.
May we be faithful to our loving God and our neighbor,
Sam

Acts 23:22-34
22So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.” 23Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o”clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. 24Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix the governor.”

25He wrote a letter to this effect: 26“Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. 28Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. 29I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. 32The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. 33When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters.