every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.'-1 John, iv. 7. LXIV. ARRIVAL AT ROME. Acts, xxviii. 16 to end. WHEN Paul was arrived in Rome, where did he go? As he was a prisoner, he ought to have been taken to the place where the soldiers lived. It was a great square with buildings on every side, and a great ditch outside. But he was not taken to that noisy, crowded place, like the other prisoners. Paul was allowed to live in a lodging of his own, though he was always to be chained to a soldier. Do you ask why he was allowed this great privilege of living in a lodging? I suppose it was through the kindness of Julius, the centurion. The Lord will not forget this kindness of Julius, if it was done because he loved Jesus. it Do you ask how it was that Paul could pay for a lodging? I suppose was through the kindness of his friends in Rome. There were a great many in Rome who loved Paul much. When Paul had stayed three days in Rome, he sent a message to the chief Jews in the city. The message was to ask them to come to see him in his lodging. The chief Jews were soon on the way to see Paul. They had often heard of him, but very few had ever seen him; and they must have longed to see such a wonderful man. They found him weak and worn, bowed down with age and sorrow, but full of love and kindness. The soldier was chained to his arm. Paul thought these Jews might have heard from other Jews that he had done something wicked. Paul assured them that he had done nothing at all to deserve being in chains. All he had done to offend the Jews was to preach about the resurrection. The Jews told Paul that they should like to know what he preached about. Then Paul fixed a day for them to come again to hear him. Early in the morning they came. Paul then began to explain to them out of the prophets all about Jesus. He showed them how Isaiah called him a lamb brought to the slaughter; how David said his hands and feet should be pierced, and many other such things. All day long Paul spoke about Jesus. When the evening came the Jews talked together. One said: 'Paul speaks the truth. I believe that Jesus died and rose again.' Another Jew said: 'But I do not believe what Paul says.' And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God.'-P. 304. |