Acts 28 listening, begins at the ends of Luke’s narrative….

‘I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.’

Paul does not desire to hurt his ‘own people’, the Jews. He loves them; desires to serve them; and is in chains in Rome and will not lift, can not lift hands against them.

So he calls together the local leaders to share his deep heart and vision of and for Jesus, the promised Messiah, with these leaders,

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 ‘Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

There will be a second meeting, a second hearing. For now, all are listening.

Listening.

Tags: & ends, Luke’s begins