A little known messenger

So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him." So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you." Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you." So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." – Acts 23.16-22

The Bible is full of little known events and lesser known characters. But they all play a part,in giving us the complete word of God. Here we meet Paul's nephew. We don't know his name. All we know is that he was young and he was the son of Paul's sister.

Somehow this young man heard about a plot to ambush and kill Paul while he was being transported. He went and told Uncle Paul all about it. Paul asked one of the guards to take the young man to the commander. The commander took him by the hand, drew him aside, and asked him what was going on. He told the commander that the plot to bring Paul to the council was a trick and they were going to take Paul and kill him. The commander told the young man to keep quiet and not tell anyone.

This was quit an event. Forty men were in place to ambush the guards on the way to Felix. After the young man came the commander instructed that 200 soldiers, 70 cavalry, and 200 spearmen accompany Paul and the guards to Felix.

So the next day ‘The soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul to Felix.’

I wish I could have seen those 40 lads who were going to ambush the detachment!

Anyhow, I am blessed by this young man, who we know nothing about. I am impressed that he played his own role in keeping Paul safe and allowing the mission to continue.

We never know what our little actions are going to accomplish. Who knew how important the visit to Uncle Paul was going to be?