Acts 28:³⁰ He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 

It’s strange to get to the end of the book of Acts and not read about the conclusion of Paul’s story – especially given the description of Paul’s long and eventful journey to Rome in the first place. Tradition holds that Paul did eventually get his opportunity to testify before the emperor and that Paul was sentenced to death by beheading. One wonders why Luke did not report this. There are several theories among scholars, none of which is conclusive.

I suppose it’s possible that for Luke (the writer of Acts) the outcome of Paul’s journey to Rome is unimportant. What is important is the way in which Paul endured suffering for the name of Jesus over and over again, how God gave to Paul grace to endure, and how that suffering served the purposes of the gospel as Paul testified to the authorities in every city and town. I would think this letter was particularly meaningful to persecuted Christians who were encouraged by Paul’s story.

I’ve not been called to suffer for the sake of the gospel as Paul suffered, that’s for sure. I’m guessing the same is true of you. But that doesn’t mean we are not called to serve God’s purposes by telling the story of Jesus. This morning I’m wondering how the Lord might give me an opportunity to be a witness to Jesus and all he has done for me. Lord let it be so. Amen.