The Plot of Life

“We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”  Acts 23:15

Suspenseful movies scare me, but if a film about Paul were to be produced, I would go see it and try to keep my eyes open the whole time.  And parts would look a lot like this...

Furious because their attempts to end Paul’s life had all been thwarted, more than forty Jews made a pact not eat or drink until Paul was dead.  Bold and determined, they went to the chief priests and elders and announced their oath and their intention.  “Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring Paul before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about the case.  We are ready to kill him before he gets here”(Acts 23:15).  (Though this would be cold-blooded murder, perhaps these men weren’t aware that the Ten Commandments aren’t pick and choose!)

The religious leaders agreed and the plan was in the works, but somehow word got around—got around to Paul’s young nephew, the son of his sister, who slipped into the barracks and told his uncle.  Wanting news of the plot to reach the top, Paul summoned a centurion to take the boy to the Roman commander.  The poor kid was obviously anxious for his uncle’s life and unnerved by these important officials because to comfort and calm him, the wise commander “took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, ‘What is it you want to tell me?’”(Acts 23:20).  Paul’s nephew gave him the information and an instruction.  “Don’t give in to them, because more than forty men are waiting in ambush to kill him”(Acts 23:22).

The commander dismissed the boy with a caution, “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me,” and so Paul’s nephew left, surely looking both ways and behind him just in case someone had found out that he had found out.

Armed with this new news, the commander ordered the centurion to “get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight”(Acts 23:23).  So that evening, under the cover of darkness, Paul rode safely out of town, securely escorted by 470 Roman soldiers.

What a cool story!  What a good story!  It contains all the elements of fine literature—good guys, bad guys, a good guy who used to be a bad guy, devious scheming, brave actions, a complex plot, anxious suspense, love, tenderness, conflict, a climax, and resolution.  And the Author of it all is a God who “does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of earth”(Daniel 4:35).  Not for a moment was God not in charge, and He used a courageous kid and a kind commander to protect Paul for His divine purpose.

The plot of life is often frightening, but we can be sure our Producer has a perfect plan. And if you want to know how it all ends, read The Book.  Don’t wait for the movie.