第廿四章

10 巡撫點頭叫保羅說話。他就說：「我知道你在這國裡斷事多年，所以我樂意為自己分訴。」

22 腓力斯本是詳細曉得這道，就支吾他們說：「且等千夫長呂西亞下來，我要審斷你們的事。」 23 於是吩咐百夫長看守保羅，並且寬待他，也不攔阻他的親友來供給他。24 過了幾天，腓力斯和他夫人、猶太的女子土西拉一同來到，就叫了保羅來，聽他講論信基督耶穌的道。25 保羅講論公義、節制和將來的審判。腓力斯甚覺恐懼，說：「你暫且去吧！等我得便再叫你來。」26 腓力斯又指望保羅送他銀錢，所以屢次叫他來，和他談論。27 過了兩年，波求非斯都接了腓力斯的任。腓力斯要討猶太人的喜歡，就留保羅在監裡。

 

默想                     

1. 本章似乎對保羅來說是個失敗，他在羅馬巡撫腓力斯面前作了場強而有力的辯護，指出大祭司的控訴錯漏百出。但腓力斯舉棋不定，拒絕裁定本案。保羅因此被拘留有兩年之久。腓力斯因希望保羅行賄，偶而召見作為聽審。看起來，保羅是一敗塗地。
2. 但事實上卻是成功！因為保羅，以及福音都被傳講出來了。我們不應期望在世人當中極受歡迎，或是絕大部分的人會立刻悔改信主，但至少，我們需要有機會來傳講福音給人聽。
3. 跟進第廿二章的第四個默想問題，有沒有機會向一個人分享我得救的故事？那人肯聽嗎？他肯接受嗎？我從這個經驗學習到什麼？

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

Chapter 24

¹⁰When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.

²²Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.  ²⁴Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.  ²⁷When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Meditation

1. This chapter seems to be a defeat for Paul.  He made a compelling defense before the Roman Governor Felix, and showed how weak the chief priest’s case against him was.  But Felix waffled, and refused to decide the case.  Paul was put under house arrest, and kept there for two years.  Felix only talked to Paul from time to time in the hope of a bribe.  It looked like failure.
2. But in fact it was success!  For Paul, and the Gospel, had a hearing.  We shouldn’t expect to be popular, or that the majority of folks will experience instant conversion.  But at least we must have a chance to be heard.
3. To follow up on #4 of Ch 22’s meditation; was there an opportunity for me to share my story with someone?  Did I have a hearing?  How was it received?  What did I learn from this experience?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.