chained in Hope

Acts 28:17-22 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. 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 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any charge to bring 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 the brothers 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.”
 
FOR years Paul had wanted to go to Rome. In his letter to the Romans, he had written one of history’s most accomplished works on God, the doctrine of salvation and the Christian’s response to Jesus. Romans also reaffirmed the Jews’ role in God’s ultimate salvation for the world. Even though he is chained to a Roman soldier and restricted to a house, Paul immediately invited Rome’s leading Jews to come and hear his story.  
    Once more Paul defends himself. But they had not heard of him, and seemed to only want to hear of one thing: the hope of Israel.
   The Jews understood their nation’s hope as a general resurrection that would occur for all Jews in the Messiah’s reign. As we know, most Jews strenuously, even violently objected to Jesus of Nazareth being Messiah, the hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
   But the Roman Jews were curious, interested to learn more. They had heard of this faction of Jews who preached Jesus of Nazareth. Even though there is much talk against this new teaching, the Roman Jews were curious to hear from this experienced messenger of some reputation. The LORD God had arranged this meeting. He will use it to expand the gospel among his chosen people in Rome.
   Just days in Rome, Paul acted quickly to open the gospel door. Paul was always purposeful for Jesus. He knew the Savior had saved him. He  hoped with all his heart the Savior would save all Jews into the living Hope.
 
Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.